NFL Draft Profile: Penn State's Zakee Wheatley Could Become Three-Level Player
Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley has shown steady development throughout his collegiate career, and could find himself among the first players at his position picked in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NFL Draft Profile: Penn State's Zakee Wheatley Could Become Three-Level Player originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New England Patriots can take their pick of positions to address during the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s easy to see them targeting someone who can rush the passer, depth options at linebacker and/or tight end, competition along the offensive line, someone who can provide a spark to the skill position group, and... well, pretty much anything else you can think of. I just don't think they can do it all… If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will need to prioritize things perfectly and put together another superb draft class -- which might just include Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley: Bio: Zakee Wheatley Position: S Height: 6' 3" Weight: 203 lbs Hand: 9 1/2" Arm: 31" Scouting Combine: 32.
5" (Vertical), 10' 2" (Broad) 2025 Stats: 12 G, 1 INT, 2. 0 TFL, 74 TKL Pros: Wheatley can do whatever is asked of him, which makes him one of the more valuable options in this class -- there can be an argument made that he is the third best universal option behind Ohio State's Caleb Downs and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. VERSATILE, CAN PLAY FROM VARIETY OF ALIGNMENTS (SLOT, DEEP THIRD, BOX) PHYSICAL COVERAGE PLAYER, DRIVES THROUGH THE FOOTBALL AND UTILIZES HANDS VERY WELL QUICK TO TRIGGER, CLOSES VERY WELL IN THE RUNNING GAME LENGTH IS HIS GAME, ALWAYS GETS HIS HANDS ON THE FOOTBALL FRAME TO ADD WEIGHT Cons: Wheatley likely won't be able to play in the box full-time, at least not in his current frame or without adding strength.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION ISN'T ALL THAT IMPRESSIVE NEEDS TO LEARN ABOUT COVERAGE, LACK OF ROUTE RECOGNITION GETS HIM IN TROUBLE NEEDS TO ADD WEIGHT INSERT Grade and Player Comparison: Wheatley needs to be given opportunities to figure it out, but you can tell that he eventually will. I'd be willing to bet that he settles as a free safety who has the ability to shift depending on how the roster is constructed around him/what is being asked of others. GRADE: 81/100 PLAYER COMP: Calen Bullock The Patriots ______ Zakee Wheatley: "have already done their homework on" New England hosted the young man on one of its first reported pre-draft visits, so it clearly likes something...