The Chicago Bears took a pair of fantasy football-relevant players in the third round of the NFL Draft. Still, both Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas have an uphill battle for usefulness in 2026 fantasy football leagues. Let’s take a closer look at the pair of Chicago Bears rookies.
Round 3, Pick 69 Overall: Sam Roush, TE
TALENT
Roush is a ferocious blocker, but he frequently overcommits and overextends when engaged with his defender, but he is frequently effective. He’s an okay, but not great, pass catcher, as he catches away from his frame and turns upfield with a good idea for his position on the field. However, he isn’t super athletic, and he isn’t a dynamic route runner (he’s actually pretty lackadaisical when you get down to it). Ultimately, he is going to be an all-around quality real-life tight end who likely won’t do much to stand out in any regard for fantasy football, unless he has a random 120-target season in the middle of his career.
NFL Comparison: Austin Hooper
Draft Grade: Round 5
2026 OPPORTUNITY
Roush likely doesn’t garner enough targets to matter (a theme in this article), given his place in the target pecking order and his primary skillset (also a theme in this article). I don’t see a world where he gets a ton of targets, or enough to matter outside of random touchdowns.
2026 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Unless Loveland gets hurt, I don’t think we’ll see enough of Roush to do anything for 2026 fantasy football leagues. In dynasty leagues, he’s a fifth-rounder who could develop into something down the line, à la Juwan Johnson or Austin Hooper. More than likely, he’s roster clog when all is said and done.
Round 3, Pick 89 Overall: Zavion Thomas, WR/KR
TALENT
Thomas isn’t much to write home about as a wide receiver, but that’s not what his carrying trait will be in the NFL. He’s an exceptional return man, and that will be his primary role in the NFL. He will be best suited as a rotational WR4, a la Kalif Raymond with the Lions, and not a primary target. He’s an athletic specimen, running a 4.28 40-yard dash at the combine, but he isn’t particularly imposing, and he isn’t a great traditional wide receiver. But, he’s a demon with the ball in his hands, and that will give him a fun gadget role in the NFL.
NFL Comparison: Bo Melton
Draft Grade: Round 6
2026 OPPORTUNITY
The Bears moved on from D.J. Moore, but Thomas is going to do more field-stretching than target-earning in 2026. Chicago likely centers their passing game around their three young bucks: Luther Burden, Colston Loveland, and Rome Odunze. That leaves Thomas without much to do in the offense.
2026 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Don’t even worry about it; he isn’t there to do anything that garners fantasy points.
