The Chicago Bears are not getting a lot of the benefit of the doubt when it comes to taking Zavion Thomas in the third round. However, it is clear that the team has a plan for him. What are realistic expectations that could make fans understand that there is hope for Thomas and the pick to pan out?
What are the expectations for Zavion Thomas's rookie season with the Chicago Bears?
Thomas is a bit smaller and went 89th overall in the draft. According to Stathead.com, when you look at the receivers drafted between 75th and 100th that are under 200 pounds, there are 23 different players. Those players averaged 22 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.
However, you can narrow this even further. Thomas was also a pick based almost solely on his speed. When you look at the above-average speed threats, the list is Tre Tucker, Anthony Schwartz, John Brown, Dri Archer, Marquise Goodwin, Markus Wheaton, TY Hilton, Chris Givens, Travis Benjamin, Emmanuel Sanders, and Andre Roberts. A lot of these names make sense for fair comparisons from a skill set perspective. There are cautionary tales and success stories from this sample.
This group is slightly better, although not by much. They averaged 24 catches for 370 yards and two touchdowns.
If you focus on just the best hits from this group, it would be Tre Tucker, John Brown, Marquise Goodwin, TY Hilton, Travis Benjamin, and Emmanuel Sanders. These players lasted for multiple contracts. Their average of stats was 30 catches for 474 yards, so the stakes are a bit higher if Thomas wants to get clumped into this group. The lowest of that group was 283, which was Goodwin.
Last year, the Bears did have four wide receivers go over 300 yards, so this is possible, even if he does not beat out Khalif Raymond. However, the targets are expected to be more concentrated on Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, and even Colston Loveland, so the depth pieces may not shine as much. Burden was the number three last year, and Olamide Zaccheaus was the number four. This year, Khalif Raymond might be the number three, and he is arguably a downgrade from the Bears' fourth receiver last year. So, Thomas might have to beat out Raymond if he wants to get closer to the 300 or 400 yards that is expected from him during his rookie season.
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