Round 5: The Carolina Panthers select S Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)

[rodeo]

 

[tukafan21]

Can’t hate getting ESPN’s 82nd overall player at 151

[firefox1234]

I actually feel even better about this draft that we didn’t force another Gamecock pick here. Best part, Wheatley appears to be more of a FS.

Edited Saturday at 06:37 PM by firefox1234

[CPF4LIFE]

Cool! This was another guy I liked.

[Captain Morgan]

Zakee Wheatley joined Penn State as an unheralded three-star recruit and redshirted in 2021, but took on more rotational resposibilities in 2022 following Jaquan Brisker's departure. Wheatley snagged two interceptions in his redshirt freshman season, flashing his playmaking potential, but his best play came in 2024 working in relief of Kevin Winston Jr. That year, Wheatley started all 16 games, amassing 96 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack, three interceptions, and four pass breakups, earning a strong PFSN Safety Impact grade of 84.2.

And amid a downturn for the entire Penn State program in 2025, Wheatley was one of the team's most consistent defenders, and backed up his play with a strong Senior Bowl showing. At almost 6'3", 201 pounds, Wheatley is a long and lean defensive back with elite explosive athleticism and impressive propulsive hip sink for his size. He's capable of managing space and hovering overtop route concepts in two-high looks, and serves as a high-quality run support presence in the box with his quick processing, closing speed, and sure tackling.

As a playmaker, Wheatley is more consistent working top-down as an interception threat than he is as a deflection producer, and he maxes out in space over longer stretches. But as a split-field strong safety, Wheatley has the size, explosion, processing, half-field range, and support utility to be a quality starter.

[DeAngelo Beason]

This was a very high value selection and fills a potential need.

[mrcompletely11]

OK?    Special teams player i guess

[Greatman77]

I'm liking the results of this draft.

[TheSpecialJuan]

 

I actually feel even better about this draft that we didn’t force another Gamecock pick here. Best part, Wheatley appears to be more of a FS.

Whatley is the post safety type we need. Kilgore is too similar to Moehrig and Ransom

[Butterflyj30]

Congrats to Zakee

[SmokinwithWilly]

Looks like he is a solid tackler. Need that. 

[shaq]

Penn State Alum and mega fan here, this dude is already a better safety than Nick Scott. He’s a true FS, he has length and range and can actually play back. Fell because he ran a 4.62 40, other then that he has every trait. Best pick of our draft!!!

[NAS]

Wow can’t believe this guy slipped to the 5th

[Captain Morgan]

Joe Person

 

@josephperson

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7m

 

 

Sam Hecht had 3rd-4th round projections; Zakee Wheatley had 3rd-rd projections. Panthers draft both in the fifth.