Patriots draft profile: Zakee Wheatley can do a little bit of everything

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Zakee Wheatley #6 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Villanova Wildcats during the first half at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on September 13, 2025 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images The New England Patriots appear to be set atop their safety depth chart, with sophomore Craig Woodson and veteran free agency pickup Kevin Byard as the projected starters heading into the 2026 season. Despite their presence, however, the team is far from done equipping the group for the future.

The 32-year-old Byard in particular, after all, is unlikely to be in the Patriots’ plans long-term. And so, adding another developmental option might make sense — a developmental option like Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley. Hard facts Name: Zakee Wheatley Position: Safety School: Penn State (RS Sr.

) Opening day age: 24 (2/28/2002) Measurements : 6’3 1/8”, 203 lbs, 31” arm length, 9 1/2” hand size, 4. 62s 40-yard dash, 6. 98s 3-cone drill, 4.

11s short shuttle, 32 1/2” vertical jump, 10’2” broad jump, 7. 68 Relative Athletic Score Experience Colleges: Penn State (2021-25) Career statistics : 58 games (28 starts) | 2,183 defensive snaps, 446 special teams snaps | 223 tackles, 39 missed tackles (14. 9%), 5 TFLs, 2 FFs, 3 FRs | 7 QB pressures (1.