2026 NFL Draft: Panthers pick Penn State's Zakee Wheatley to patrol secondary originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Reports circulated during the days leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft that Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan targeted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman as a potential first-round selection.Morgan passed on the opportunity and addressed the offensive line by taking top prospect Monroe Freeling.With Tre'von Moehrig and Nick Scott expected to hold down the starting positions again in 2026, the Panthers have invested draft capital over the past two seasons to provide positional depth.After Morgan engineered his third trade Saturday, the Panthers moved up seven spots to No. 151 in the fifth round to select Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley.
The Panthers also acquired the Miami Dolphins' seventh-round pick (No. 227) and surrendered picks No. 158 and 200 in the sixth round.Last season, the Panthers drafted ex-Ohio State standout Lathan Ransom with the No. 122 overall pick. Ransom had an up-and-down rookie campaign.Panthers add S Zakee Wheatley in fifth roundListed at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, ESPN ranked Wheatley as the No. 7 safety in the draft class and the No. 82 overall prospect.A two-year starter who compiled six career interceptions, Wheatley likely will start his NFL career on special teams, but adds athleticism and length to the safety room."Wheatley shows up around the football a lot on film and generally puts himself in position to make plays," Scouts Inc. reported.
"Though he gets in position, he needs to finish tackles more consistently, as he had a number of missed tackles that will need to be cleaned up. "Wheatley does a good job fighting through blocks, though he has average play strength. In coverage, he makes plays on the ball."According to PFF, Wheatley allowed just 36 yards in coverage last season.