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What draft experts said about new Bears receiver Zavion Thomas
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- 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 .
The Bears lost some key veteran wideouts this offseason, including DJ Moore (traded to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick), Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay . But they did sign veteran Kalif Raymond in free agency, and he'll join young playmakers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III , who will be prominent in the passing game.
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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.
Here's what some expert draft analysts had to say about Thomas during the pre-draft process and what Bears fans can expect to see:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
"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.
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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."
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
"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."
Pro Football Focus
"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."
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Bleacher Report Scouting Department
Where he wins
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Twitchy athlete and easy mover
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Usage versatility, from screens, jet sweeps, and shotgun RB handoffs
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Possesses elite top-end speed with a third gear
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Lateral quickness to shake press-aligned cornerbacks
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Offers special teams value as a primary punt and kick returner
Areas of improvement
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Rounded intermediate route breaks
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Inconsistent route sharpness for optimal separation
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Underwhelming collegiate production
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Vertical stem lacks urgency; doesn't quickly close the space between him and the cornerback
NFL Draft Buzz
"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.
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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."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears select Zavion Thomas: What the draft experts said
