Zakee Wheatley Pick Could Transform Panthers’ Safety Unit
The Carolina Panthers may have found an answer to their issues at safety after selecting Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
General manager Dan Morgan used one of two Day 3 picks in that round on a player who could significantly upgrade the back end of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s system.
Addressing a Clear Need
Safety was an area Carolina had been looking to improve. Last season, Tre’von Moehrig, Nick Scott, and rookie Lathan Ransom handled the bulk of the snaps, but none stood out statistically. Their Pro Football Focus grades hovered in the low 60s, placing them in the middle-to-lower tier among NFL safeties.
Despite heavy playing time—especially for Scott and Moehrig—the group struggled to generate impact plays, particularly turnovers.
What Wheatley Brings
Wheatley enters the league as a long, athletic defensive back with encouraging production. At Penn State, he showed a willingness to contribute in run defense while also displaying awareness and balance in coverage. Though his takeaway numbers dipped slightly in his final season, he still demonstrated the ability to make plays on the ball earlier in his career.
Across his recent seasons, he piled up tackles, interceptions, pass breakups, and even contributed with forced fumbles and a sack—highlighting his all-around skill set.
Versatility Is the Key
One of Wheatley’s biggest strengths is his flexibility. He can operate in multiple roles—supporting the run, dropping into coverage, or lining up in sub-packages. That adaptability makes him a strong fit for a defense that values interchangeable pieces in the secondary.
For a Panthers team that recorded just three interceptions from its safeties last season, Wheatley’s potential to create plays could be especially valuable.
Big Picture
While he’s not a finished product, Wheatley brings traits the Panthers have been missing—range, versatility, and upside. If he develops as expected, this mid-round selection could go a long way toward stabilizing and elevating Carolina’s safety group.
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