Film study: New Bears WR Zavion Thomas a pure speed threat

TL;DR

The Chicago Bears selected LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas with the No. 89 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Known for his speed, Thomas recorded a 4.28 40-yard dash, making him a potential asset for the Bears' receiving corps.

Key points

Chicago Bears selected Zavion Thomas with the No. 89 pick
Thomas recorded a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine
He had 40 receptions for 493 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2025

Chicago BearsLSU TigersZavion Thomas

Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) pushes away Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Dave Herard (17) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images With the No. 89 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas. The Bears needed depth at the wide receiver position going into the draft. Teams usually carry six wide receivers on their 53-man roster, and their WR5 and WR6 were J.P. Richardson and Maurice Alexander, respectively. Thomas projects as a competitor for playing time with the likes of Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker. The name of the game with Thomas is speed. With a 4.28 40-yard dash, he had the third-fastest 40-yard dash of any player at the Combine, as well as the second-fastest time for a wide receiver. Going into Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bears’ absence of reinforcements in their defensive line is a major concern. The pass rush and run defense were both weakness of their roster is 2025, and they have made very few additions to the defensive line. However, maybe Ryan Poles is confident in young players like Austin Booker and Shemar Turner to improve. Likewise, maybe Poles is confident enough to draft Thomas with a top-90 pick, despite being the consensus . As I’ve done since 2019, I put together a thread involving my analysis of each Bears draft selection, sharing some clips that highlight their strengths along the way. This year is certainly no different, so here’s my quick-hit evaluation of the Bears selecting Thomas in Round 3. **THE NUMBERS**

Q&A

What are Zavion Thomas's key stats from the 2025 season?

In the 2025 season, Zavion Thomas had 40 receptions for 493 yards and 4 touchdowns, with a drop rate of 4.7%.

How fast did Zavion Thomas run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine?

Zavion Thomas recorded a 4.28 40-yard dash, ranking as the third-fastest overall and the second-fastest among wide receivers at the Combine.

What position does Zavion Thomas compete for on the Bears roster?

Zavion Thomas is competing for a spot in the wide receiver rotation, likely aiming for playing time against Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker.