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Ben Johnson's reaction to third-round pick Zavion Thomas proves why this won't be another Velus Jones Jr. experiment for the Bears
TL;DR
The Chicago Bears selected LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas in the third round, sparking hope from head coach Ben Johnson that he won't repeat past draft mistakes. Johnson's positive reaction to Thomas suggests a potential break from the team's history of third-round busts.
Key points
- Bears selected Zavion Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft
- Head coach Ben Johnson's reaction indicates confidence in Thomas
- Ryan Poles has a poor track record with third-round picks
- Previous third-round busts include Velus Jones Jr. and Zacch Pickens
- Johnson's leadership may change the Bears' draft outcomes
Zavion ThomasBen JohnsonVelus Jones Jr.Ryan Poles
The Chicago Bears made a major reach in the third-round by selecting LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas, but the reaction from head coach Ben Johnson proves why he could break the team’s third-round curse.
The third-round of the NFL Draft hasn’t been kind in the past to Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, in fact it’s been his worst round in terms of hit rate since taking over the role in 2022.
Under his watch, the third-round busts in Chicago include WR/RB Velus Jones Jr., DT Zacch Pickens, and OT Kiran Amegadjie. So, it’s easy to get concerned about the two third-round picks Chicago added on Friday in TE Sam Roush and WR Zavion Thomas.
However, it’s worth noting who’s really in control of the draft room this time around and that man is head coach Ben Johnson. While both are already being viewed as reaches, especially Thomas, I trust Johnson to identify the right fits for his offense.
And after hearing about Ben Johnson’s reaction to seeing Thomas in action on tape, it proves why this guy won’t just be another Velus Jones Jr. experiment for the Bears.
Ben Johnson was an immediate fan of Zavion Thomas from the moment he laid eyes on him
“This guy is going to be a weapon,” Bears assistant director of college scouting Francis St. Paul said on Friday. “This is one of the guys that Ben, when he saw the tape, started doing his little rocking and you could tell he was really excited about him.”
Speed is the top trait Thomas brings to the table. After running a 4.28 40-yard-dash at the NFL Combine, the second-fastest among all offensive players, Thomas now becomes the fastest player ever drafted by the Bears.
Speed has been the name of the game all offseason long for Chicago and finally Johnson gets to add a burner to his offense with both vertical and horizontal speed. He’s going to be a serious threat every time he steps on the field. But, that’s also the problem with this particular selection going into 2026.
Q&A
What did Ben Johnson say about Zavion Thomas?
Ben Johnson's positive reaction to Zavion Thomas's performance on tape indicates confidence in his fit for the Bears' offense.
How has the Bears' third-round draft history been under Ryan Poles?
Ryan Poles has struggled with third-round picks, including notable busts like Velus Jones Jr., Zacch Pickens, and Kiran Amegadjie.
Why is Zavion Thomas considered a reach in the NFL Draft?
Zavion Thomas is viewed as a reach due to concerns about his selection position and the Bears' previous third-round failures.
What impact could Ben Johnson have on the Bears' draft strategy?
Ben Johnson's leadership in the draft room is expected to improve the Bears' selection process, potentially leading to better outcomes for third-round picks.
