The safety position in the 2026 NFL Draft could feature as many as three players selected in the first round, with Thieneman, Downs, and McNeil-Warren generating the most buzz over the past couple of months. That said, there is plenty of talent further down the line, and Zakee Wheatley fits into a group that could come off the board as early as Day 2. With his size, range, instincts, and scheme versatility, Wheatley has plenty of supporters in the scouting community. While the exact round he hears his name called remains a subject of debate, there is no question that he will find a new home during the draft.
Measurables:
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 203 pounds
Arms: 31″
Hands: 9.5″
Vertical: 32.5″
Broad jump: 10’2″
School: Penn State
Position: Safety
Zakee Wheatley NFL Draft Overview
Wheatley arrived at Penn State as a consensus four-star recruit from Archbishop Spalding High School in Maryland. After redshirting in 2021, he rotated as a sub-package defender the next two seasons. In 2022, he posted 27 tackles and two interceptions. Then in 2023, he put together 24 tackles. His breakout came in 2024 when starter Kevin Winston Jr. went down with an injury. Wheatley started all 16 games, finishing with a career-high 96 tackles (58 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and four pass breakups. In his final season he posted 74 tackles (51 solo), and one interception while again earning All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Wheatley leaves Happy Valley with 223 tackles, six interceptions, five tackles for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Zakee’s consistency was on display every week.
Strengths
- Possesses well-above-prototype height and length for the position
- Matches well with tight ends and larger slot receivers
- Reads and reacts with suddenness to gain quick advantage post snap
- Sub-package versatility to cover deep, intermediate, and slot
- Hit-and-wrap tackler that generally squares well
- Uses length to keep blockers from swamping him under
- Decent mitts and nose for the ball once it’s in the air
- Effort is consistent and stands out on tape
Weaknesses
- Athleticism is more adequate than high-end
- Fluidity declines when opening up to top speed
- Can get caught staring through the passer and manipulated
- Shows difficulty resetting and finding the play if it breaks behind him
Projection: Round 4
Best Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys
Bottom Line on Zakee Wheatley
Wheatley’s combination of length, instincts, and physicality will get him to stick on a roster. There is some development arc needed for a full-time starting role, but it is achievable. His football intelligence and production may outweigh his lack of explosive traits. Coaches looking for a smart, physical safety who can play the run and cover from multiple spots will have him marked on their board. Teams may exercise patience when pulling the trigger on his selection, but Zakee represents a low-risk option to strengthen the depth in the secondary.
Wheatley profiles similarly to Durrell Eskridge out of Syracuse. There is not a lot of “wow” to his movement, but he is fundamentally sound and generally stays in the right place to make a good decision. He has the ability to immediately contribute on special teams and in sub-package football while showing the upside of potentially working into a starting role in the secondary. The one thing you can’t coach is a player’s hunger on game days, and Wheatley is clearly driven to win every snap.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
