Wednesday, March 11, 2026

2026 NFL Draft Prospect S Zakee Wheatley

Wheatley:

Scouting Reports:







Articles:

Prisco's Better-Than Team for 2026 NFL Draft: The 20 prospects he's higher on than scouts (Zakee Wheatley - 2024: Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP (1 INT, 1 FR).  At 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, Zakee Wheatley isn't a big-bodied safety, but he sure does throw his body around. He is a good player in the run game, coming up from the deep safety spot. He has the range that teams love in a safety, which is a must in today's game. He also had six interceptions and two forced fumbles in his career. I think he will end up being a steal in the second or third round.) (4-14-26):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/prisco-better-than-team-2026-nfl-draft-prospects-most-underrated/

College coaches pick 2026 NFL draft sleepers (Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State Nittany Lions - Key numbers: 74 tackles, one INT, one fumble recovery, three QB hurries, one PBU in 2025. Wheatley was a ball hawk throughout his Penn State career, contributing to 11 takeaways (six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two FFs). He had two interceptions and a fumble recovery during Penn State's CFP run two years ago. Finished with 223 career tackles (145 solo).  Scouts Inc. ranking: No. 82 overall, No. 7 safety, grade of 77.  What else to know: Wheatley grew his profile during Penn State's run to the CFP semifinals after the 2024 season, contributing to three takeaways, recording a pass breakup in all three games and finishing with 26 tackles. His 16 tackles in the CFP semifinal against Notre Dame marked the most by a Penn State player in a postseason game since Lance Mehl posted 17 stops in the 1979 Sugar Bowl. He had a quieter senior season but still had an interception against Iowa and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. The 6-foot-3 Wheatley has good length and was 10th among safeties in broad jump (10 feet, 2 inches) at the combine. "He's not the fastest guy, but he covers a lot of ground with how long he is and how good of angles he takes to the ball," a Penn State source said. "Some guys, the ball finds them. He's got a little bit of that, and it's hard to find what it is, but he has it.") (4-13-26):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48380198/2026-nfl-draft-college-football-coaches-sleeper-picks

2026 NFL Draft preview: 5 safeties that could interest Lions (4. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State - 6-3, 203 4.62 seconds 40-yard dash (1.61 10-yard split) – Pro Day.  Wheatley was a ball hawk in the secondary for Penn State, accounting for nine turnovers. After starting his career as a cornerback, Wheatley transitioned to safety the next four years and mixed in looks at linebacker in certain packages. His versatility and ball skills make him an intriguing prospect.) (4-10-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-preview-5-safeties-detroit-lions-mcneill-warren-thieneman-haulcy

Top 25 Prospects For The Detroit Lions In The 2026 NFL Draft: If the Lions wind up with any of these guys, they had a good draft (19: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State - Average Draft Position: 97th.  AtoZ Sports big board ranking: 75th.  The Beast Ranking: 78th.  This is another one of the best safeties in the class. He’s a playmaker, and that’s why he should be a name you watch to be on the rise when it comes to draft time.  The big concern is technique. He can take wrong angles at times, and he’s inconsistent off the snap. These are things that can be coached up.) (4-8-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/top-25-prospects-for-the-detroit-lions-in-the-2026-nfl-draft-if-the-lions-wind-up-with-any-of-these-guys-they-had-a-good-draft/


Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard went to his pro day (He is shown walking with a Lions scout at the 45 second mark) (3-18-25):  https://www.fox43.com/article/sports/football/penn-state-pro-day-nittany-lions-talent-2024-nfl-draft/521-187c21d4-711a-4f72-81d1-cb2688c7b69d

Top 5 defensive backs for the Detroit Lions at the 2026 NFL Combine (Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State - Average Draft Position: 89th.  A to Z Sports big board ranking: 66th.  This is another one of the best safeties in the class. He’s a playmaker, and that’s why he should be a name you watch to be on the rise when it comes to draft time.  The big concern is technique. He can take wrong angles at times, and he’s inconsistent off the snap. These are things that can be coached up.) (2-23-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl/detroit-lions-news/top-5-defensive-backs-for-the-detroit-lions-at-the-2026-nfl-combine/

2026 Combine preview: Safety (4. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State, 6-2, 201:  Wheatley is one of those naturally instinctive players who always seems to be around the football when watching Penn State's defense. He played a lot of single-high safety and his speed allows him to be a sideline-to-sideline disruptor. Wheatley recorded 170 tackles, 4.5 sacks and four interceptions combined the last two seasons for the Nittany Lions.) (2-22-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/2026-combine-preview-safety-downs-mcneil-warren-thieneman

Senior Bowl winners by position: Which 2026 NFL Draft picks impressed scouts this week? (Kansas State’s VJ Payne and Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley also deserve honorable mentions.) (1-31-26):  https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7010882/2026/01/31/nfl-draft-2026-senior-bowl-risers-prospects/

2026 Senior Bowl Practice Observations: Caleb Banks, T.J. Parker Take Field in Mobile (Zakee Wheatley, SAF, National - Day 1 Update:  Zakee Wheatley measured almost a full inch taller than expected, coming in at nearly 6’3″ and over 200 pounds. For that size, he shows off impressive short-area quickness and corrective athleticism, as well as the sink to propel through breaks on transitions.  He wasn’t tested much in coverage or support on Tuesday, but he will be challenged more in the days to come.  Day 2 and 3 Update:  Wheatley wasn’t always the top name on onlookers’ minds, but he had a solid week in Mobile. There were times when he could’ve been better at finding the ball in press-man, but he proved quick and long enough to corral TEs and disrupt at the catch, and fluid enough to sink and redirect in response to sharper breaks.  Against quicker WRs, Wheatley’s hip leverage maintenance and spatial discipline was less sound, but he’ll remain intriguing for teams looking for size, athleticism, and competitive urgency.) (1-31-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/senior-bowl-practice-observations-day-1-2026/

2026 NFL Draft prospects: Top 10 players on defense (4. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State - Wheatley's the latest Pen State safety to be a likely Day 2 pick. He's a force in run defense but also allowed just a 69.2 passer rating when targeted in coverage. He'd thrive as a single-high safety in the NFL.) (1-30-26):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2026/01/30/2026-nfl-draft-top-10-rankings-defense/88403594007/

Winners and losers from the 2026 Senior Bowl weigh-ins — surprise measurements and new concerns emerge for quarterbacks and pass rushers (Penn State SAF Zakee Wheatley – 6-foot-2 and 3/4ths
Wheatley is the rare example of a player who came in bigger than his listed size. Technically, Penn State did have him on the roster at 6-foot-2, but Wheatley is knocking on the door of 6-foot-3 — all of that length does show up in his game and it’s great to have the affirmation that he’s got that area of influence as a coverage player. The Nittany Lions program is a top-tier strength & conditioning program, so I would suspect Wheatley is going to start checking boxes with his pre-draft process. The confirmation that he really is a “big” safety is a good start.) (1-27-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/winners-losers-2026-senior-bowl-weigh-in-diego-pavia-garrett-nussmeier-zakee-wheatley-dani-dennis-sutton/

TWENTYMAN: 15 players to watch at the Senior Bow (13. S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State:  Wheatley has great size (6-2, 200) and speed (4.4) with versatility and playmaking ability. NFL defensive coordinators love safeties who can come down and match up with tight ends and slot receivers, and Wheatley did that with a lot of success at Penn State. He should be able to play both strong and free safety at the NFL level.) (1-26-26):  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/detroit-lions-15-players-to-watch-senior-bowl-bailey-banks-boettcher

2026 Senior Bowl Defensive Backs To Watch: Potential first-round pick headlines one of the deepest position groups in Mobile (Zakee Wheatley, Penn State:  Wheatley is the kind of player whom you take a swing on later in the draft and bet on his obvious traits and experience to work out. I see Wheatley as a physical presence who can run the alley and make plays on the ball carrier as he collapses downhill at 6-3 and 200 pounds.  For more Senior Bowl previews and everything of note in Mobile for the week, keep it locked on A to Z Sports NFL Draft.) (1-26-26):  https://atozsports.com/nfl-draft/2026-senior-bowl-defensive-backs-to-watch-chris-johnson-kamari-ramsey-zakee-wheatley/

Senior Bowl 2026 CB/SAF Primer (Zakee Wheatley, SAF, Penn State:  Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley was constantly around the football in 2024-25, logging 169 combined tackles. Wheatley is super instinctual. He flows around the defensive backfield naturally with the range required to track the ball and make plays.) (1-23-26):  https://thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/23/senior-bowl-2026-cb-saf-primer-roster

Penn State to be represented by 6 former standouts in Senior Bowl (Wheatley emerged as a steady starter on the back end during the past two seasons. In 2025, he had 74 tackles, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup and one interception. A former three-star prospect from Severn (Md.) Archbishop Spalding, Wheatley had 223 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, six pass breakups and six interceptions in 58 games (28 starts) over five seasons.) (1-14-26):  https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/article/senior-bowl-kaytron-allen-dani-dennis-sutton-zane-durant-drew-shelton-nick-singleton-zakee-wheatley-270897863/

2026 NFL Draft: PFSN’s Consensus Top 10 Safeties Feature Caleb Downs, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State:  Zakee Wheatley shares some usage similarities with Smith, whose slot snaps were nearly cut in half between 2024 and 2025, and who was assigned to alignments closer to the box. Unlike Smith, however, Wheatly received grades in the late Day 2 to mid-Day 3 range from the aforementioned scouting services.  The history of ball production doesn’t rival that of others on the list, though the reasons are more scheme and personnel-related. Another in the mold of impressive size-adjusted athleticism, standing 6-foot-2 and tipping the scale at roughly 200 pounds, Wheatley’s versatility was a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable Nittany Lion season.) (1-15-26):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2026-nfl-draft-safety-prospects-rankings/


Updated 2026 NFL Draft big board for the end of the CFB regular season (41. Zakee Wheatley S Penn State) (12-2-25):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/12/02/2026-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-big-board-update/87554292007/

2026 NFL Draft Rankings: Safety (7. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State Nittany Lions - Big board rank: 96.  Wheatley is a true single-high free safety with great range and ball skills from his high school receiver days. He is slender but long with a long wingspan for pass breakups and long strides to cover a ton of ground as a center fielder (which he coincidentally played in baseball). He has a quick trigger to break on the ball or to come downhill in run defense. He boasts good run defense willingness, but his slender build does show up in that category. He must get stronger to take and dish out contact against bigger bodies in the league to become a more versatile safety. But his range in its current form is still quite valuable.) (12-1-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2026-nfl-draft-safety-rankings

College Football Week 10: Conference Teams of the Week and Player Awards (Big Ten - S: Zakee Wheatley, Penn State) (11-10-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/college-football-week-10-conference-teams-of-the-week-player-awards-2024

2026 NFL Draft: Midseason prospect big board top 50 (45. Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State) (11-10-25):  https://draftwire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/11/10/2026-nfl-draft-midseason-prospect-big-board-top-50/87143496007/

Ranking Penn State's top 2026 NFL draft prospects: from first-round locks to developmental gambles (The projects worth gambling on - Zakee Wheatley, S (84.9 grade):  The Archbishop Spalding product from Maryland arrived in Happy Valley as a consensus four-star recruit, and at 6-2 and 200 pounds, he’s got the size to play either safety spot or slide into a big nickel role. Wheatley’s 88.8 RAS suggests plus athleticism, but his 4.40 forty-yard dash time is where things get interesting. Safeties who can run like that and cover ground in the deep middle have real value in today’s pass-heavy NFL. He’s likely a fourth- or fifth-round selection, though a strong combine showing could push him into Day 2.) (11-8-25):  https://atozsports.com/college-football/penn-state-nittany-lions-news/ranking-penn-states-top-2026-nfl-draft-prospects-first-round-locks-developmental-gambles/

Players of the game for Penn State in Week 6 (Defensive Player of the Game: Zakee Wheatley - Stats: 12 tackles, 9 solo, 1 TFL.  You know it was a bad day at the office for the defense when one of the safeties is the player of the game. Not for his interceptions, but for his tackle total. The fact of the matter is Penn State only had 3 sacks of Iamaleava all game long and were repeatedly gashed by his legs in critical situations. For the most part, one could say that Wheatley was forced into inopportune situations because of this and was the last line of defense on several plays. This award was his to lose all along, but for all the wrong reasons.) (10-4-25):  https://nittanylionswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/nittany-lions/football/2025/10/04/players-of-the-game-for-penn-state-in-week-6/86529592007/


2026 NFL Draft Summer Scouting: Safety Overview (Coverage Safeties - Zakee Wheatley, Penn State - Strengths:  Ample experience as a center fielder type of coverage safety.  Vines for arms; makes for good PBUs and wrap-up tackles.  Can really open it up and run to cover a ton of ground.  Good downhill trigger from reaction time to acceleration.  Good ball skills from his receiver days.  Weaknesses:  Slender build for the safety position.  Lacks hit power.  Needs to get stronger.  Scouting Summary:  Wheatley is a true single-high free safety with great range and ball skills from his high school receiver days. He is slender but has a long wingspan for pass breakups and long strides to cover a ton of ground as a center fielder (which he coincidentally played in baseball). He has a quick trigger to break on the ball or to come downhill in run defense.  He boasts good run-defense willingness, but his slender build does show up in that category. He must get stronger to take and dish out contact against bigger bodies in the league to become a more versatile safety. But, his range in its current form is still quite valuable.) (9-16-25):  https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-summer-scouting-safety-overview

Top 25 Returning College Football Safeties for 2025 Headlined by Caleb Downs, Dillon Thieneman, and Tao Johnson (4. Zakee Wheatley, Penn State - 2024 PFSN College SAF+ Grade: 87.2 (A-).  Zakee Wheatley comes in as the fourth-best returning safety in college football and the sixth-best overall from the 2024 season. He stepped into a bigger role for Penn State’s defense with an injury to Kevin Winston Jr., and he succeeded, capping off the year with Fiesta Bowl defensive MVP honors.  Wheatley’s missed tackle rate of 22.9% kept him outside the top three, but he was tremendous otherwise. He ended the year with three interceptions and graded above average practically everywhere across the board against one of the toughest schedules in college football last year.) (8-17-25):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/cfb/college-football-safeties-ranking-2025/

Penn State Football 2025 Preview: Safeties to Play Key Role in Jim Knowles' Defense (Zakee Wheatley:  Wheatley enters his fifth season at Penn State as the centerpiece at safety. The Maryland native is a true ballhawk and an excellent tackler, which led Pro Football Focus to grade him among the Big Ten’s top-five safeties. Franklin called Wheatley "high production and low maintenance," two traits coaches love.  Wheatley excelled in 2024, totaling 96 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. But he truly was recognized nationally in the College Football Playoff, where Wheatley recorded three tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery en route to earning the defensive MVP award at the Fiesta Bowl.  “I’m trying to work on everything,” Wheatley said. “Speed, tackling, [football] IQ, any way I can just get better and make more plays in the football season, that’s what I’m trying to do.  Despite the personal success, Wheatley and his room have one goal for 2025.  “It’s pretty simple. Everyone who’s sitting here [has] the same goal,” Wheatley said. “We wanted to come to Penn State to win big games and win the national championship.”) (8-17-25):  https://www.si.com/college/pennstate/football/penn-state-football-2025-preview-safeties-to-play-key-role-in-jim-knowles-defense


Penn State poised for monster class in 2026 NFL Draft: Who could hear their names called next year? (Redshirt senior Zakee Wheatley was the second Nittany Lion after Drew Allar to announce he was returning for the 2025 season in December. If Wheatley had declared, it wouldn't have been the biggest surprise because he raised his game in the aftermath of the KJ Winston injury, but both he and safeties coach Anthony Poindexter acknowledged he had some things to work on this season. He can continue to boost his stock at a position where positional value in the draft varies from team-to-team.) (4-28-25):  https://247sports.com/college/penn-state/longformarticle/nfl-draft-2026-drew-allar-nick-singleton-dani-dennis-sutton-aj-harris-zane-durant-kaytron-allen-vega-ioane-zakee-wheatley-249374407/#2642379





Posted by LionsFan at 4:12 PM

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
.main-inner .sidebar .Poll { background-color: #AD966C; padding: 15px; }