The Chicago Bears put their finishing touches on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft by adding a second offensive playmaker on the night with LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas at 89th overall, a pick that shocked many.
It’s a selection that had head coach Ben Johnson’s fingerprints all over it, as it’s become incredibly clear that Johnson is heavily involved in helping general manager Ryan Poles craft this roster, as evidenced by three offensive players on Day 2.
Chicago lost several receivers this offseason, mainly veteran DJ Moore who was traded to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for a second-round pick that eventually became tight end Sam Roush, who was selected early in the third round. The Bears certainly could benefit from adding depth. Thomas will more than likely mainly be used out of the slot and is a real threat on special teams, where the Bears also have veteran Kalif Raymond.
Here’s our initial grade for the Bears selection of Zavion Thomas:
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.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Grading the Bears’ selection of Zavion Thomas in 2026 NFL Draft
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
