Family Ties: LSU’s Zavion Thomas Puts Grandfather’s Saints Fandom Front and Center Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
BATON ROUGE, La. — As the 2026 NFL Draft descends upon Pittsburgh this weekend, most prospects are focused on 40-yard dash times and guaranteed money. But for LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas, the most meaningful outcome of draft weekend might be the look on his 80-year-old grandfather’s face.
In a recent interview, the Woodmere, Louisiana, native revealed the depth of his family’s fandom for the New Orleans Saints, painting a vivid picture of a household where the Black and Gold are revered—and what might happen if the Saints actually draft him.
“He might jump through the TV,” Thomas told NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, describing his grandfather’s potential reaction. “Go outside and jump in the pool. He’s like 80. It would be the best day of his life.”
The comments come as Thomas concludes a pre-draft process that included a Top 30 visit to the Saints’ facility in Metairie. While many players use those visits to dissect playbooks, Thomas used his time to secure merchandise for the family patriarch, grabbing several team hats to bring home as gifts.
A ‘Hometown’ Prospect with Elite Speed
While the Thomas family story is heartwarming, the business case for the Saints—or any team—selecting the LSU product is rooted in pure velocity.
Thomas turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis by clocking an official 4.28-second 40-yard dash, one of the fastest times recorded by a wide receiver at this year’s event. That speed translated to the field in 2025, where he hauled in 41 passes for 488 yards and four touchdowns for the Tigers.
Despite playing in a crowded LSU receiving corps, Thomas showcased an ability to create explosive plays. His performance against Vanderbilt included a season-long 62-yard reception, and he proved reliable in the screen game, hauling in 15 screen passes—a skill that translates well to the modern NFL.
Pro Football Focus notes that Thomas plays with “energy and determination,” traits that have earned him high marks for competitive toughness. However, scouts view him as a developmental project regarding route-running, grading him as average in beating man coverage underneath.
The Return Game X-Factor
If Thomas lacks the gaudy receiving stats of previous LSU stars like Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase, he compensates with versatility that is highly coveted on Day 3 of the draft.
Thomas is an explosive return specialist, a fact reflected in his college statistics where he logged significant yardage on both kick and punt returns. For a Saints team that has long relied on the electric Rashid Shaheed, Thomas offers a potential long-term replacement or a complementary deep threat. Analysts suggest that even if his route tree takes time to develop in the pros, his vision and burst as a runner make him an immediate weapon on special teams.
His athleticism is not limited to the gridiron; a former track & field star, Thomas posted an 11.08-second time in the 100-meter dash, underscoring the elite straight-line speed that makes him a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
League-Wide Interest
While the Saints offer the most sentimental fit, Thomas is not lacking for suitors. The Arizona Cardinals hosted Thomas on a visit, with analysts eyeing him as a potential “gadget” player in offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur’s system.
Additionally, the Dallas Cowboys have conducted a virtual meeting with the receiver, signaling that if New Orleans passes on the local product on Day 3, he is unlikely to wait long to hear his name called.
Draft Projection
Currently, Thomas is projected to be selected on Day 3 of the draft, likely in the sixth or seventh round. The Saints currently hold the 190th overall pick at the start of the sixth round, a spot where finding a player with Thomas’s return acumen and deep speed would represent a value pick.
For New Orleans, selecting Thomas would not only address a need for speed on offense but would also be a public relations win, keeping a Louisiana native home to play for the team he grew up watching.
And for one 80-year-old fan watching from his living room, it would likely result in a very wet, very happy celebration.
“He’s a Saints fanatic,” Thomas said. “It would be the best day of his life.”
