Azareye’h Thomas foresees perfect pairing with Sauce Gardner

Reporting from New York Jets HQ—New York Jets’ third-round rookie Azareye’h Thomas feels he already knows who All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner is.

Well, he firmly believes he’s familiar with Gardner’s game. In other words, he’d never blurt out the common social media tongue that is, “I’m sorry; I was not familiar with your game.”

“Sauce is actually one of the guys that I’ve studied and watched,” Thomas told the media after the Jets selected him in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL draft. “So, like I said, it’s just a blessing to be here, and it’s crazy how everything just comes full circle,” Thomas said.”

The former fourth overall pick was the first defensive back since the merger to be named a First-Team All-Pro in each of his first two years in the league.

Thomas’ standing as the 73rd overall pick by the Jets may dampen those kinds of expectations, but that is fine for the Florida State product. He believes he can help get the Jets back to being one of the elite defenses in the league.

Thomas on Jets’ Secondary

One of the first things that stood out to Thomas during the pre-draft process and his final year with the Seminoles was that his 6-foot-2 frame allowed him to be one of the most physical corners in college.

That wasn’t by accident, either.

“I pride myself. That’s the most important thing that I pride myself in, on that field,” Thomas said. “Just being physical, smothering receivers, being a great teammate, and helping my team.”

The Florida State product’s speed was a big detractor on draft night, hurting Thomas’ stock. Although he did not test very well at the NFL Scouting Combine, that didn’t deter the Jets from taking him.

Head coach Aaron Glenn made it a point after Day 2 to explain the key difference between game speed and speed on tape. To Glenn, Thomas has game speed and would be an intriguing option to play on the opposite side of Gardner.

That is the rookie’s hope, anyway.

The Jets’ CB2 competition

If Thomas wants to get on the field, he’ll have to beat out a free agent signing on his own accord. Brandon Stephens signed a three-year contract with the team in free agency during the first week of the process.

New York won’t give away how it will handle that kind of competition. It may boil down to Stephens, the veteran signed to over $12 million per year, or Thomas, who has key starting intangibles.

As Thomas begins his first steps in the NFL, the idea of playing with Gardner is an exciting prospect that will soon become a reality. Perhaps one day, he’ll be named the starter moving forward outside the All-Pro.

There’s still a long way to go before that happens, though.