The Chicago Bears selected LSU's Zavion Thomas in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, bolstering their wide receiver corps. Thomas, known for his speed, ran a 4.28 40-yard dash and will also contribute on special teams.
Key points
Chicago Bears selected Zavion Thomas in the 2026 NFL Draft
Thomas is a speedy receiver with a 4.28 40-yard dash
Bears lost key veterans DJ Moore, Zaccheaus, and Duvernay
Thomas will contribute as a gadget player and on special teams
He joins young playmakers in the Bears' offense
Chicago BearsBuffalo Bills
What draft experts said about new Bears receiver Zavion Thomas
The Chicago Bears reinforced their wide receivers room with the selection of LSU's Zavion Thomas in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another weapon for quarterback Caleb Williams.
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.
Q&A
What round was Zavion Thomas drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Zavion Thomas was drafted in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
How fast did Zavion Thomas run the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine?
Zavion Thomas ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Which veteran wide receivers did the Bears lose this offseason?
The Bears lost DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay this offseason.
Who will Zavion Thomas join in the Bears' passing game?
Zavion Thomas will join Kalif Raymond, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III in the Bears' passing game.
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"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."
"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."
"Thomas plays with energy and determination, giving him a strong chance to stick on an NFL roster, particularly due to his special teams return ability."
"Thomas is an interesting evaluation because what he does well, he does really well, but the total package leaves you wanting a bit more. The speed is no joke. It jumps off the screen on every rep, and at the next level, that kind of juice translates regardless of scheme. He is the type of player who can take the top off a defense on any given play, and his return ability alone makes him a valuable special teams contributor from Day 1. The fact that he has scored touchdowns in four different ways at the college level tells you something about his football instincts and his comfort with the ball in his hands.
The concern, though, is whether he can carve out a defined role as a receiver in an NFL offense. His production over four college seasons never hit that top-tier ceiling you look for in a featured wideout. He ran routes out wide the majority of his snaps but also saw time in the slot, and his best fit may be as a Z receiver in a spread-based attack that moves him around and creates opportunities for him to use his speed on designed touches, screens, and deep shots. An offense that values creativity and wants to manufacture touches for a burner will get the best out of Thomas. He needs a coaching staff willing to put him in space rather than asking him to win purely as a route runner on the boundary against physical man coverage.
At the end of the day, Thomas profiles as a Day 3 pick who earns his roster spot through special teams and then gradually works his way into offensive snaps as a speed-and-gadget weapon. There is a real ceiling here if the right offensive mind gets hold of him. His willingness to do whatever the team needs, from blocking to returning kicks to taking handoffs, speaks to the kind of unselfish mentality that coaches love in a young receiver trying to stick. He is not going to be a No. 1 target, but as a complementary piece who can stretch the field and electrify on returns."
