The Chicago Bears selected LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas with the 89th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Thomas is a speedy weapon in the passing game, running a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He protects as a gadget player in Ben Johnson’s offense, who brings explosiveness to the table, and he’ll likely also contribute on special teams as a return specialist.
Here’s a quick rundown on Thomas:
The Basics
Height: 5-foot-10 3/8 inches
Weight: 190 pounds
Age: 22
From: Woodmere, LA
Breakdown
Thomas lacks gaudy production as a receiver, but his athleticism, versatility and return talent could bolster his roster value. He has average size with enough vertical speed to stress defenses downfield. He’s average in beating man coverage underneath and struggles finishing catches through contact. His vision, burst and elusiveness as a runner makes the evaluation more interesting. Thomas is likely to be viewed as a WR5 candidate with value as a return man, but teams could dig a little deeper on his potential as a running back. — Lance Zierlein
Dane Brugler’s Scouting Report
A starter for one-and-a-half-years at LSU (and two-and-a-half years overall), Thomas lined up primarily to the boundary (79.3 percent of his snaps) in former offensive coordinator Joe Sloan’s scheme. He was also used on versatile motions and backfield action for jets, orbits and handoffs. He put his name on the map at Mississippi State before returning home and fulfilling his childhood dream of playing for the Tigers. He finished second on the team in receiving in 2025.
Because of his speed and competitive energy, Thomas offers big-play potential every time he touches the rock. He scored a touchdown four different ways in college (receiving, rushing, punt return, kick return), and he shows immediate acceleration both horizontally and vertically. He is coachable and driven, both of which boost his NFL chances.
They Said It
“He has a unique skillset, just in terms of him being a 4.2 (40-yard dash) guy. Those guys don’t grow on trees. It’s easy to look at because that flashes up and everyone sees it, but yet, when you turn on the tape, it’s more than just being able to run deep routes. The versatility that he showed both at Mississippi State and at LSU, from the backfield, whether it’s running routes or getting hand-offs. Then, the returning aspect of it. I think it all adds up. Coach (Antwaan) Randle El, myself, (Offensive Coordinator) Press Taylor, we all have a vision of how this guy could really help us. As I talked about, it’s a compliment to what Rome does best, what Luther does best, (WR) Kalif (Raymond) does best. He’s a guy that we really feel like can play a key component in what we want to do this year.” — HC Ben Johnson
RAS card
Grade: B-
The need for a receiver wasn’t as urgent as the need to address both the offensive and defensive lines, especially at the edge rusher spot. However, Zavion Thomas’ arrival to Chicago brings another element of speed that this coaching staff has said they wanted to improve on. He could be a very intriguing player for Ben Johnson to work with and implement in gadget or special packages on offense, especially given the arm talent of quarterback Caleb Williams. Thomas could also make a big impact in special teams, and putting him in a duo with the veteran Kalif Raymond will be interesting to see how Chicago’s special teams unit can improve in 2026. — Mike Pendleton
Highlights
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Breakdown and analysis of new Bears rookie Zavion Thomas
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
