For a while now, it's been pretty evident that the Green Bay Pacekrs are going to end up moving on from 2-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Although he is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL when healthy, it's his health that's been the biggest problem. The Packers love his talent. The fans love his talent. However, if he's no longer someone who can be counted on to be on the field on Sundays, it might just be the right time to part ways.
Between cornerback, wide receiver, offensive line and edge rusher, fans are split on where exactly the Packers should look with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, a popular position is, indeed, corner.
In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper decided to go that route by handing the Packers Florida State's Azareye'h Thomas.
Highlighting his speed and length as two admirable traits, Kiper also noted that Thomas would be a phenomenal scheme fit.
"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," he wrote. "And if Green Bay moves on from the oft-injured Jaire Alexander, there's going to be a big hole at the position."
Azareye'h Thomas is the picture perfect replacement for Jaire Alexander
At 6-foot-2 and coming in just under 200 pounds, Thomas has that prototypical build for an outside corner. He's even bigger than Alexander, but doesn't lose much speed due to his size.
In terms of being a Jeff Hafley type of player, he's a guy that fits right in. Thomas brings the physicality each and every down, which is actually a reason he can get in trouble at times.
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At the pro level, though, if you have a corner at his size, you'll likely take the risk of being overly physical than the contrary.
Thomas makes his hay jamming receivers before they can get into the prime of their route. He's disruptive at the line of scrimmage and early on in his receiver's get-off. Paired with his physicality, Thomas has outstanding length. You're going to hear that a lot over the next two months.
Thomas' length allows him to take calculated risks at times, because if he ends up a millisecond behind his receiver, he's able to make up for it due to the radius he can impact when the ball is thrown.
If Alexander is indeed let go, Packer fans are going to be growing louder and louder with their affinity for Thomas. Should he be there at pick no. 23, Thomas had better be a Packer.