Zakee Wheatley NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Carolina Panthers S

The Carolina Panthers selected Penn State S Zakee Wheatley with the No. 151 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Zakee Wheatley consistently finds the football and makes plays in the run game better than any safety in this class.

He's a former 3-star recruit from Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. He's played his entire career at Penn State, with 58 games played.

While neither he nor the team had their best showing last season, his best performance came in 2024, where he racked up 96 total tackles (58 solo), three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in B/R's Scouting Department.

Highlights

Zakee Wheatley highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Always around the football whether it's against the run or the pass. His instincts take him to where the plays go in every game.

— His single-high ability, paired with his instincts, let him flow around the back end of the defense. Has real range to make plays.

— Locates the football in the run game and triggers downhill with intent. He wants to make big hits and will wrap up the ball carrier.

— His naturtal athleticism to mirror the quarterback and break on throws makes him a dangerous player against tough sideline throws and slighty under thrown balls.

Areas of Improvement

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— Tackling technique when wrapping up to not fall around ankles. Drive through tackles more often.

— Aggression to trigger downhill quickly on play fakes makes him susceptible to double moves or deep shots over the top with play-action.

— Playing more physically against tight ends in man coverage will help round out his impact against the pass.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.7 (Key Contributor - 2nd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: Brian Branch, S, Alabama (7.8 in 2023), S Tyler Nubin, Minnesota (7.7 in 2024), S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame (7.9 in 2025)

OVERALL RANK: 41

POSITION RANK: S4

PRO COMPARISON: Kyle Hamilton

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'3"

Weight: 203

Hand Size: 9 ½"

Arm Length: 31"

Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: N/A

10-yard split: N/A

Vertical: 32.5"

Broad: 10'2"

3 cone: N/A

Shuttle: N/A

Bench: N/A

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