He just wouldn't stop catching everything. Back in spring camps, James Franklin and the Penn State staff started calling him the "Takeaway King." It wasn't just a nickname; it was a warning. For anyone tracking the zakee wheatley nfl draft stock, that's where the story really begins. Wheatley is one of those rare players who transitioned from a high-school wide receiver to a college safety and kept the "my ball" mentality.
It's actually pretty wild to look at his path. He was a four-star recruit out of Archbishop Spalding in Maryland. He had offers from everywhere—Michigan State, Virginia, you name it. But he chose Happy Valley. Now, after five seasons and a massive 2024 breakout, he’s officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
People are starting to realize he’s not just a rotation guy anymore. He's a legitimate Day 2 prospect. Maybe even higher if he crushes the combine. Honestly, if you haven't watched his tape from the Fiesta Bowl or the 2025 season, you're missing out on a masterclass in "center field" safety play.
Why NFL Scouts Are Obsessed With the Zakee Wheatley NFL Draft Profile
The NFL loves length. Wheatley has it in spades. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing about 200 pounds, he looks more like a modern NBA point guard than a traditional box safety. But that’s the point. The league is moving toward pass-first schemes, and a guy who can cover grass is worth his weight in gold.
He’s got these long, vine-like arms. They allow him to disrupt the catch point even when he’s a step behind.
One of the coolest things about him is his "RAS" or Relative Athletic Score. He’s been clocked at a 4.40 forty-yard dash. For a safety with a 6-foot-2 frame, that is moving. Scouts look at that speed and see a guy who can play single-high safety, allowing defensive coordinators to get creative with their blitzes.
The Numbers That Matter
Let’s talk stats for a second, but let’s look at the real ones. In 2024, he was thrust into a huge role after KJ Winston got hurt. He responded by leading the team with 58 solo tackles. He ended that year with 96 total stops, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
Basically, he was everywhere.
By the time he finished his 2025 season, he had racked up over 220 career tackles. That kind of experience is rare. NFL teams hate "project" players who only have one year of tape. Wheatley has five years of growth documented on film. He’s seen every Big Ten offense you can imagine.
The "Takeaway King" and His Ball Skills
You’ve got to understand his background. Wheatley was a dominant wide receiver in high school. That experience shows up every time the ball is in the air. Most safeties are just trying to knock the ball down. Wheatley? He’s trying to score.
His hands are elite.
We saw this in the Fiesta Bowl where he took home Defensive MVP honors. He just has a knack for being in the right spot. It’s not luck. It’s anticipation. He reads the quarterback's eyes like he’s in the huddle with them.
Scouts from teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles have already been linked to him in mock drafts. The Steelers, in particular, need a guy who can play next to Minkah Fitzpatrick and allow Minkah to be more of a playmaker. Wheatley’s ability to handle the deep middle makes him a perfect fit for a "robber" style defense.
What Are the Real Concerns?
No prospect is perfect. If they were, they’d all go first overall. For Wheatley, the biggest question mark is his frame. He’s "high-waisted" and a bit slender. Some scouts worry that he might get bullied by 260-pound NFL tight ends in man coverage.
- Strength: He needs to add some "functional" bulk without losing that 4.4 speed.
- Hips: Because he's tall, his transitions can sometimes look a bit "leggy" or slow compared to a shorter, twitchier safety.
- Consistency: Earlier in his career, he had a habit of over-pursuing. He’s fixed a lot of that, but NFL coaches will still poke holes in it.
Despite those issues, his PFF coverage grades have been on a steady climb. In 2025, he cut his missed tackle rate almost in half. That shows he’s coachable. That shows he gives a damn about the "boring" parts of the game, like wrapping up in space.
Where Will Zakee Wheatley Be Drafted?
The 2026 NFL Draft class for safeties is surprisingly deep, but Wheatley stands out because of his versatility. He’s played deep safety, he’s dropped into the slot, and he’s even lined up as an overhang defender.
Most analysts have him as a mid-to-late second-round pick. Some "draft gurus" like those at Bleacher Report have even suggested he could sneak into the late first round if a team is desperate for a rangy playmaker. On the flip side, if he has a mediocre combine, he might slide to the fourth.
Personally? I think he goes early on Day 2.
Think about the Raiders or the Cardinals. Teams that need a culture shift in the secondary. Wheatley is a vocal leader. He was the "old head" in the Penn State room by the end of his career. You can't teach that kind of veteran presence.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re following the zakee wheatley nfl draft journey, keep a close eye on his 10-yard split during the combine. That first-step explosiveness will tell us if he can keep up with NFL burners. Also, watch which teams meet with him at the Senior Bowl—if he gets an invite, that's usually the "tell" for who is seriously interested.
Check his weigh-in results. If he hits the scales at 205+ pounds without losing his fluid movement, his stock will skyrocket. He’s already proven he can play; now he just has to prove he can handle the physical toll of a 17-game pro season.
To get a better feel for his game, watch the Penn State vs. Iowa (2025) tape. That interception against Mark Gronowski was a perfect example of his range. He starts in the middle of the field and ends up at the sideline. That’s NFL-level closing speed.
Next, you should track the official NFL Combine invite list which usually drops in early February to see his official measurements and workout schedule.
