Bears draft LSU WR Zavion Thomas — a Walter Payton relative — No. 89

The Bears drafted LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas — who says he’s a distant relative of legendary running back Walter Payton — with the 89th pick Friday night.

The relation is somewhere on the family tree — “It’s still a long way,” Thomas said — but it’s close enough to home for him to appreciate where he was drafted. Thomas grew up hearing stories about Payton. Just minutes after he was drafted by the Bears, Thomas’ grandpa told him he and Payton used to share a bed sometimes when they were kids.

Joining the Bears in Round 3, then, means a lot. Thomas got a clue that the Bears were interested during a long phone call two weeks ago. The team was attracted to his straight-line speed — he ran a blazing 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine — as well as his versatility. At LSU, he played outside, in the slot, at running back and returned kicks and punts. He led the SEC in kick return yards two years ago.
He even tried throwing a few passes, something that has to intrigue coach Ben Johnson.

“I’m able to do everything,” he said.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Thomas returned a punt for a touchdown in 2022 and kickoffs for touchdowns in both 2023 and 2024. The 22-year-old started his college career as a punt returner at Mississippi State before transferring to LSU after two years. He had 41 catches for 488 yards last year.

The Bears’ offensive system is complicated for receivers to learn, general manager Ryan Poles said, so the team is prepared for Thomas to take time to adjust to the NFL. Returning, though, could happen on Day 1.

“This kid is special with the ball in his hand,” assistant college scouting director Francis St. Paul said. “He has the deep speed to play outside and quickness to play in the slot — and obviously his return ability is what really attracted us.”

Poles said he wasn’t aware of the Payton connection until after he drafted him.

“Good genes, right?” he said.