Ask a group of Cheeseheads the top three positions the Green Bay Packers need to be targeting heavily in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it's probably safe to assume that most would list cornerback as one of them, the other two likely being wide receiver and edge rusher.
The Packers' immediate future at corner, of course, depends on what the franchise decides to do with Jaire Alexander, the oft-injured two-time Pro Bowler who's missed 20 games over the last two years but still has two years remaining on the four-year, $84 million contract he signed ahead of the 2022 season.
When healthy, Alexander remains one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. But again, the guy has missed 20 games in the last two years. And that's not to mention the additional 13 he missed in 2021. The dead cap hit Green Bay would take is considerable, but it's tough to justify continuing to pay such a large salary to a player who's rarely in uniform.
On the other hand, though, if the Packers trade or release Alexander and he stays healthy and returns to form with someone else, they're going to look quite foolish.
So, general manager Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur certainly have a decision to make.
Nate Hobbs was signed in free agency, and while he can play the perimeter, he typically fares better in the nickel position. That said, however, perhaps he was brought in as insurance if Alexander is let go or gets injured again, although it was expensive insurance at $48 million over four years.
So, what does all of this mean for the Packers at the draft?
If Alexander is gone—and the general consensus seems to be that will be the case—one has to assume Green Bay will select a cornerback. It's just a matter of when. And who, of course.
Could the Packers steal cornerback Azareye'h Thomas on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft?
The Packers have been linked to a number of cornerbacks in various mock drafts over the last couple of months, one being Florida State standout Azareye'h Thomas, whom Mel Kiper predicted ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine would land in Green Bay in the first round at No. 23 overall.
Now, if this were to actually occur, there might be some disappointed that Green Bay again didn't take a wideout in the first round, a streak that extends all the way back to 2002. And others could share that same disappointment but their reasoning being that the Packers didn't take an edge rusher.
Then there are those who might be ecstatic at the selection, as Thomas vaulted up draft boards throughout the 2024 college football season and then again after a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
In the last month, however, his stock has taken a bit of a hit, as he refused to run the 40-yard dash at the combine and also opted out of the vertical leap. He recorded a 10-foot-2-inch broad jump, which only ranked in the middle of the pack, but did impress in the position drills, showcasing his length and overall athleticism.
Still, though, scouts want to see speed at the cornerback position, and that's been one of the big question marks surrounding Thomas for quite a while now. He has other weaknesses, but that's been one of the more notable concerns.
And his Pro Day earlier this week didn't help matters in that department, as Dane Brugler of The Athletic reported that Thomas posted a 4.56-4.60 time in the 40. For a regular human being, that's obviously incredible. But for an NFL cornerback, that's more in the solid enough kind of range.
Bragler did also say that Thomas had an "A+ position workout," which shouldn't surprise anyone.
The question now becomes whether teams will be hesitant to select Thomas because of the 40 time. And for those wondering—yes, that is a thing. And certain mock drafts already have him dipping down into the middle of the second round.
Take Tankathon's, for instance, which has Thomas going at No. 46 overall to the Atlanta Falcons.
Now, as improbable as it may sound, one has to wonder if he'll drop far enough to where the Packers could steal him at No. 54. Because if Thomas is there, Gutekunst shouldn't even think twice—if Green Bay doesn't go corner in the first round, that is.
Sure, he may not have the 4.3-4.4 speed some are looking for, but Thomas is a dynamic prospect who could seemingly come to Green Bay and make an immediate impact, especially if Alexander is shown the door.
We'll just have to wait and see how all of this madness plays out over the next few weeks.