Packers GM Brian Gutekunst with head coach Matt LaFleur and team President Mark Murphy on draft night - Photo by the Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has released a pre-combine mock draft and has the Green Bay Packers drafting a former All-AAC cornerback in the first round.
According to Kiper Jr., the Packers should select Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas 23rd overall, saying, “Thomas was getting some notice after the Senior Bowl, and he’s probably going to get more after the combine. His speed and length are standout traits, and he uses them to make plays on the ball; he broke up 17 passes over the past two seasons. Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley would love Thomas in his zone-heavy coverage schemes, where he can break on the ball and halt pass catchers before they tack on yards after the catch. And if Green Bay moves on from the oft-injured Jaire Alexander, there will be a big hole at the position.”
Thomas, who holds a second-round grade from most scouts, is Pro Football Focus’s 57th-ranked player and is their 7th-ranked cornerback, but he has received high praise from notable draft analysts such as Daniel Jeremiah, who has him as his 38th overall player.
This past season, Thomas started 12 games for the Seminoles and only 17 catches and no touchdowns. Opposing quarterbacks averaged an abysmal 50.1 passer rating when targeting Thomas in 2024, according to PFF.
The Packers are in need of a new shutdown cornerback as Eric Stokes will be a free agent this offseason, and questions about Jaire Alexander’s future in Green Bay continue to be a main topic of discussion among fans and analysts.
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