The New York Jets have selected former Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas with the No. 73 overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons at FSU.
In the 2024 campaign, Thomas started all 12 of the Seminoles’ games at cornerback. He finished the season with a career-high 53 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception. For his efforts, he was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention and the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award winner.
In his three seasons at Florida State, Thomas amassed 37 appearances and 13 starts. He tallied 96 total tackles, 15 passes defended and two interceptions in his collegiate career. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. listed Thomas as the No. 5 cornerback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Azareye’h Thomas played high school football at Niceville (FL), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 92 overall player and No. 9 safety in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Thomas impressed scouts at the NFL combine in February. After the event, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to show off his talents.
“It was a blessing, man,” Thomas said. “Something I dreamed of since I was a kid. Sitting there watching it with my brother, getting motivated. … It was a blessing, to say the least. So I’m just thankful and honored that I got the opportunity to go there.”
While scouts don’t expect Thomas to be an immediate star in the NFL, they’re confident he can eventually carve out a role at the next level. Ahead of the draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provided an in-depth analysis of Thomas’ game.
“Press-man cornerback with average speed but excellent length to disrupt game flow for opponents,” Zierlein wrote. “Thomas deters early looks his way from quarterbacks by jabbing, crowding and smothering the release from press. He lacks route recognition and lateral twitch to stay tight to breaks from off-man. He also needs to develop his instincts and trust his eyes from zone coverage. He has average top-end speed but competes to shrink the receiver’s downfield catch odds using his length and ball skills.
“He’s more likely to spoil a catch than make a play on the football that results in a turnover, but that could change with more experience. He’s below average in run support, although he improved in that area in 2024. Thomas needs more seasoning, but he could become a good starter within two or three years.”
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There are a lot of things that have to be sorted out during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 training camp. Part of that includes the WR room and what exactly the team has via rookie quarterback Will Howard. Through the first weekend, we have some surprising developments on both fronts... Roman Wilson is taking lots of outside reps When the Steelers are in 11 personnel (one back and one tight end on the field) their three WRs have been relatively predictable: DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. And on the first day, that was the order with Metcalf and Austin on the outside and Wilson in the slot. But the Steelers spent a good portion of the weekend playing Wilson outside and moving Austin inside. To this point, Robert Woods hasn't been much of a factor at all, and while Wilson is playing a lot outside, Calvin Austin III has been the one making plays from wherever he aligns. Now we obviously can't draw any firm conclusions from four days of unpadded practice, but it's clear that the Steelers are giving Roman Wilson every opportunity to prove he's the team's #2 WR, even if Calvin Austin III is the one who holds the title. Will Howard already making waves? After starting practice in Latrobe as the third team quarterback, Howard worked his way into first team reps with the Steelers in 7v7 on Sunday. He received one of the biggest pops from the crowd of anyone on Saturday, and what few reps he's been afforded, he has run with them. I fully expected Will Howard to surpass Skylar Thompson on the depth chart by the end of camp, but to see him making such a big jump after just days of practice is very encouraging for the rookie. Preseason will be huge for Howard.
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.
The Milwaukee Brewers may or may not make a splash this trade deadline. They may do nothing at all. In what would be a middle-ground but still impactful move, MLB insider Jeff Passan believes they should have a certain Kansas City infielder on their radar: utility man Maikel Garcia. Milwaukee Brewers could find intriguing fit in Royals Swiss Army knife swinger To be clear, Passan knows of no rumblings in Milwaukee about the shortstop position, where Joey Ortiz has been playing better of late amidst what has been overall a disappointing season. Despite his recent improvements at the plate, Ortiz has put up just a .577 OPS. Passan also notes that the Royals aren’t openly shopping Garcia, who has played mostly at third but would likely see most of his time at short for the Brewers. In his view, it’s just a move that could make sense. The Royals certainly seem like sellers. At 52-54, they aren’t close in the AL Central Division race and are four games back in a crowded field of wild card contenders. For Garcia, a 2025 All-Star, it has been a career year. In 103 games, he has slashed .296/.351/.461 with 19 steals and a 3.0 WAR. With his mix of speed, defensive flexibility, and all-around hitting, he seems like a Brewers type of player. In addition to third base, he has played a handful of games at short, second, and outfield. Joey Ortiz remains a weak link on Brewers roster Ortiz, though not unpopular with Brewers fans, has taken a major step back from last season after switching positions. Whatever the eye test may suggest, his defensive metrics aren’t flattering. Per Baseball reference, he has saved -6 runs. The Fielding Bible has him at -5. Following a solid June in the batter’s box, he’s fallen back a bit in July. If the Brewers are looking to fill holes in the lineup, shortstop is the most glaring. There is also, however, a lack of available names at the position, making it harder to address. If Garcia were to become available, he profiles as a solid fit. Would he suffice as an everyday replacement for Ortiz at short? While Garcia has some experience there, he is much better at third. With Caleb Durbin installed at the hot corner, though, the former wouldn’t have much opportunity to start. Brice Turang is also firmly entrenched at second. In the end, then, most of Garcia’s starts would have to come at short and possibly in the outfield here and there. Ortiz would lose playing time but if the Brewers committed to acquiring Garcia, it seems reasonable to imagine that he would have the upper hand as the starting shortstop, while Ortiz assumed more of a bench role alternating between spots on the infield. Grading Maikel Garcia as Brewers trade name Garcia would definitely fortify the backend of the order. Although he too has struggled some in July, he’s picked it up again with three multi-hit games in his last five and it’s hard to ignore his fully body of work this season. He lacks natural homerun power, but has compiled a solid extra base portfolio: 26 doubles and five triples to go with 10 dingers. For comparison, Ortiz has just seven homeruns and 10 doubles while also struggling to reach base. In addition, Garcia is in a favorable salary situation, as he will not hit free agency until 2030. After arbitration ahead of this season, he is making under $800K. Verdict: the move would not a seamless position fit, but Garcia does offer flexibility. Realistically, Ortiz is better off in a reserve utility role. So far he has not measured up to replacement level performance (-0.5 WAR), let alone starting-caliber play. Because of his contract control and career year, Garcia could cost something in the way of prospects. The Brewers would need to cautiously consider what the Royals envision as a fair return package. While Garcia is a valuable player even when he isn’t hitting at the level he is, he is hardly worth parting with top of the line names in the farm system. It’s difficult to fully evaluate a move that hasn’t happened and probably won’t, but as a candidate, Garcia gets a B to B+ grade.
There may be more to Christian Wilkins’ recent surprise release from the Las Vegas Raiders. NFL reporter Josina Anderson reported Saturday that "some sources believe an incident involving a teammate may have factored in-part into the Raiders' fatigue and release" of Wilkins. The nature of the incident is not clear. However, many believe the Raiders had a very good reason to move on from Wilkins considering the money they had invested in him. It also suggests the Raiders saw no alternative if they went straight to a release. Wilkins was dumped by the Raiders just one year into a four-year, $110 million deal. The Raiders suggested Wilkins failed to take rehab seriously as he tries to work his way back from a foot injury. Other teams do not appear to have the same concerns about Wilkins as the Raiders did, and he should find a new landing spot fairly easily. That is one of the reasons some suspect there is more to the Raiders’ decision than they are publicly saying.
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