The Chicago Bears fortified several positions of need in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, taking Oregon Duck standout Dillon Thieneman in the first round to replenish a decimated safety room, while also adding center Logan Jones in the second round to compete for the starting center spot . And yet, one of the most impactful selections may have come in the third round.
No. 89 overall pick and former LSU Tigers receiver Zavion Thomas has the opportunity to come in and produce immediately. And Thomas won't be limited to just one role, either. Not according to the man who drafted him, Ryan Poles.
"Zavion, another versatile player, who brings a high level of speed, explosive speed ... It jumps off the tape," Poles said of the team's third-round pick, via ChicagoBears.com . "Another one that as a group, we watched over and over and over again ... We can do a lot with him, and obviously when you pair that up with Ben and Press, exciting things can happen."
Thomas, as a receiver, has a high ceiling. After amassing 6.3 yards after the catch and a 4.5 percent drop rate, Thomas showed he has sure hands, although his 41 catches are seen as a low total for a college football season.
That being said, the newest Bears wideout is much more than just a pass-catcher, though.
Thomas will line up in the slot as one of Caleb Williams ' newest threats, snagging snaps from Luther Burden III and Kalif Raymond . With that said, Thomas could also steal return snaps from Raymond, who was signed away from the Detroit Lions for that purpose.
Thomas led the SEC in return yards in the 2024 campaign (633) and was a Freshman All-American as a return man in 2022. With a 4.28-second 40-yard dash, opposing special teams units will be in trouble if Thomas ever finds the open field. Opposing defenses that don't expect Thomas to make plays out of the backfield are in a similar predicament.
The former LSU standout was an explosive running back for the John Ehret Patriots in Louisiana's Class 5A division during his high school career, amassing 779 rushing yards and six touchdowns. LSU didn't use him that way very much, giving him 40 snaps out of the backfield. Chicago may not hold back in the same vein.
With three ways to hurt opponents, Thomas has the chance to shake up three different Bears position groups. Not bad for a late third-round pick.
This article was originally published on www.dawindycity.com as Zavion Thomas Is a Threat to Shake Up the Bears from Day 1 .
