Chicago selected LSU WR Zavion Thomas at No. 89, valuing his 4.28 speed, return ability, and versatility—plus a family-story connection to Walter Payton.
The Chicago Bears used the 89th pick Friday night to bring in LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas, a prospect who arrives with game-changing speed and a return background—and a story family members swear is real.
Thomas. a 5-foot-10. 190-pound playmaker. said his relationship to Walter Payton is “somewhere on the family tree. ” adding. “It’s still a long way.” Still. the connection felt close enough that when the news landed. his grandfather told him they once shared a bed as kids.. In a league built on legacies and next-chapter narratives. those details don’t just make for a good line—they become part of how players process opportunity.
The Bears’ pitch was clear: they saw Thomas as more than a conventional wide receiver.. The team was drawn to his straight-line speed—he posted a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine—and to the different ways he can affect a game.. At LSU, Thomas played outside, in the slot, lined up at running back, and handled punt and kick returns.. He also led the SEC in kick-return yards two years ago. an indicator that his value wasn’t limited to route running.
That return résumé is now tied directly to why the Bears chose him at No.. 89.. Chicago’s offensive system is known to be complex. and general manager Ryan Poles said the organization expects Thomas to take time to adjust.. That doesn’t mean he’s being parked on the bench.. If there’s a path to immediate impact. returning kicks could happen right away—where translation is less about learning a full playbook language and more about reading timing. angles. and field position.
Thomas’ college versatility also hints at flexibility for coach Ben Johnson’s approach.. Johnson is working in an offense where matchups and spacing matter, and Thomas’ experience wasn’t only about receiving.. At LSU, he returned punts for touchdowns, including a score in 2022, and added kick return touchdowns in both 2023 and 2024.. There’s a reason that skill set gets attention in a league where special teams can flip momentum faster than any scripted drive.
The Bears also plan to lean into Thomas as an all-ball handler.. Assistant college scouting director Francis St.. Paul described him as “special with the ball in his hand. ” pointing to the combination of deep speed and the quickness that can translate to the slot.. In an NFL draft class. that’s a specific kind of profile: one that doesn’t require a single role to justify a pick.
For Thomas personally, choosing the Bears is tied to more than a roster spot.. He started his college career at Mississippi State as a punt returner before transferring to LSU.. Last season, he recorded 41 catches for 488 yards, showing that his production was more than a highlight reel of broken-field returns.. Still. the way he talks about his abilities suggests he wants to be seen as a do-everything option rather than a narrow specialist.. He even said he’s able to “do everything. ” including adding an extra layer of curiosity by briefly throwing passes in college—something that signals comfort with creativity rather than pure routine.
Why pick Thomas at No.. 89?. The No.. 89 selection reflects a calculated bet: if you’re going to invest in a receiver. you want one who can change the game in multiple phases.. Thomas’ return value offers an immediate lever, while his speed and movement skills build a longer-term case for offensive involvement.. In the modern NFL, that blend can be especially valuable because roster construction keeps shrinking the space for “only” players.
Poles’ comments about the Bears’ system imply the rookie learning curve will be real.. Yet the Bears appear prepared for that reality, prioritizing what Thomas can do as he develops.. That makes the selection feel less like a gamble on one skill and more like a hedge against the uncertainty that arrives with any rookie transition.
The Payton connection—and why it matters
It also underscores how NFL legacies work in the background.. Payton is often used as a shorthand for excellence and polish in offense.. Thomas may not be entering the league as a running back. but the idea of carrying forward a football identity—speed. balance. and relentless production—resonates across positions.. Poles said he didn’t know about the Payton connection before drafting him. which adds a grounded twist: the on-field reasons came first; the family story became part of the reception.
What Chicago could get next
In the bigger picture. Thomas’ selection fits a broader NFL pattern: teams want threats who can contribute in more than one way on Sunday.. With speed. versatility. and special-teams credibility. Thomas gives Chicago a profile that can be useful even if the offensive timing takes a little longer than expected.
For Bears fans. the story offers two things to watch: whether the ball-in-his-hands trait becomes a consistent advantage. and whether his transition from college versatility to NFL role versatility turns out to be as smooth as the family legend feels.. In this draft. the pick looks designed to create immediate value on special teams—and ongoing value as a receiver who can stretch defenses. not just fill a slot.