Azareye'h Thomas is a much-needed win for Darren Mougey's 2025 draft class

It's easy to feel negative following the New York Jets' Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers, considering the fact that the gut-wrenching loss was such an attainable win that the team let slip through their fingers.

But there are also still several things to feel good about coming out of Sunday's loss, including individual performances and the fact that the team is starting to play competitive football as compared to last year's lifeless outings.

One of the standout performers from Sunday, and even through New York's first two games of the season, is second-year cornerback Azareye'h Thomas. From competing for a starting job in training camp to quietly becoming the Jets' best boundary cornerback, Thomas' ascension is a sight for sore eyes.

After how poorly Darren Mougey's 2025 draft class (outside of Armand Membou) has performed throughout their early careers, this may end up being a win for what was initially an underperforming group of youngsters.

New York Jets should feel good about Azareye'h Thomas' emergence

Throughout the Jets' first two games of the season, Thomas has been graded as one of Pro Football Focus's top-10 cornerbacks in the NFL. He's recorded an overall grade of 75.4, and in Week 2, he allowed only two receptions for 14 yards on four targets.

Believe it or not, the best part of Thomas' game has been his ability to defend the run. His run-defense grade of 81.6 ranks eighth amongst qualified cornerbacks so far in 2026 and is a major step in the right direction for the second-year cornerback.

The former third-round draft pick even made Jets history on Sunday, tying Aaron Glenn and Darrelle Revis' franchise record for most pass breakups in consecutive games, getting his eighth straight PBU against Green Bay.

Darren Mougey needs his 2025 New York Jets draft class to continue improving

Thomas' ascension is a much-needed win for the Jets' general manager and his 2025 draft class. All of Mougey's picks, aside from their hopeful franchise right tackle, haven't had much impact throughout this young season.

Tight end Mason Taylor was supposed to provide a one-two punch with Kenyon Sadiq, but Taylor has only managed to haul in two passes for -2 yards so far in two games. He had all summer to work with Geno Smith and the new offense, and this is all we've got to show for it?

Don't even mention fourth-round wide receiver Arian Smith, who has been nothing short of a disaster since the Jets drafted him in 2025. All of the other Jets' Day 3 draft picks don't even see the field, and for good reason. They aren't pro-ready players.

If Thomas can keep improving, it will make the draft class a little bit better. But it still feels like an overall waste of resources early on.

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