LSU's Zavion Thomas talks Saints draft visit, grandfather's fandom

The New Orleans Saints' front office has only a short drive of an hour and a half if they want to scout some of LSU's top players who may enter the NFL. In recent years, the LSU Tigers have produced several superstar wide receivers, a position that the Saints may target in the 2026 NFL Draft this weekend.

The early 2020s saw the emergence of household names like Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase, while the 2025 NFL Draft featured New York Giants star Malik Nabers. However, this year's wide receiver prospects from the Tigers are not as strong as the school's historic reputation would suggest. The highest-ranked wide receiver among the school’s four draft-eligible players is Aaron Anderson, who is currently ranked No. 186 on the Pro Football Focus big board. Just below him at No. 213 is Zavion Thomas, a Louisiana native who could be selected late on Day 3 of the draft. It’s safe to say that Thomas has a strong connection to the Saints fandom.

As Thomas explained in an interview with NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, he visited the team during the pre-draft process and took several team hats with him, knowing that his grandfather is a Saints fanatic, in order to gift one to him. And if the team drafted Thomas?

“He might jump through the TV," Thomas said. "Go outside and jump in the pool. He’s like 80. It would be the best day of his life.”

Thomas caught 41 passes for 493 yards and scored four receiving touchdowns last season, despite competing in a crowded receiver room. As the draft approaches, he is projected to be selected in the sixth to seventh round. Thomas could serve as the replacement for that the Saints have been searching for, especially after running a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in . holds the 190th pick at the start of the sixth round. It would make sense for them to trade back into the seventh round or potentially sign Thomas as an undrafted free agent.