Zakee Wheatley Might’ve Played His Way Into Panthers Plans After HOF Game

He looked like a fifth-round steal in April. So it's not surprising that the former Nittany Lion was impressive in the Panthers' preseason opener last Thursday.

Aug 4, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Zakee Wheatley (38) on the way to the practice field at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There certainly has been a lot of good news coming out of Carolina Panthers’ training camp these days. Second-year pass-rusher Nic Scourton and rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II will miss the 2026 season, and right tackle Taylor Moton’s status remains a question as well (blood clots). Even quarterback Haynes King, who scored the game-winning touchdown last Thursday night against the Arizona Cardinals, has been bitten by the injury bug.

Of course, there were some positives coming out of the team’s 33-30 victory. One of those was the play of one of general manager Dan Morgan’s seven draft choices back in April.

Panthers may have a real find in former Nittany Lion Zakee Wheatley

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Panthers wound up with a pair of fifth-round selections this year. With the first, Morgan addressed the offensive line by picking Kansas State University center Sam Hecht with the 144th overall pick. Seven selections later (151), he opted for Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley. The back end of Carolina’s defense has been an issue in recent seasons and the team has been looking to upgrade the position. It’s just one preseason game, but the former Nittany Lion had a very productive outing vs. the Cards.

Panthers’ rookie S Zakee Wheatley stood out vs. the Cardinals

Panthers Rookie safety Zakee Wheatley cut up from the Hall of fame game #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/eYhlJAaf4g

— The Real Ball Watcher (@thaRBW) August 8, 2026

Wheatley earned the start at safety opposite second-year pro Lathan Ransom, and played a total of 35 defensive snaps. He led Carolina with eight tackles, and also forced a fumble. The 6’3 1/8”, 203-pound rookie earned a lot of praise from Pro Football Focus. He was the highest-graded player on Dave Canales’s club (88.0) and was solid vs. both the run and the pass.

All told, Wheatley was graded on 18 running plays and 17 on pass coverage. He earned a team-high 84.7 mark against the run, and was second on the club vs. the pass (73.7) behind linebacker Isaiah Simmons (82.4). Perhaps the most impressive grade was given for his tackling with a team-best 87.4. It’s one game and a preseason contest at that, but it was certainly a very encouraging outing for the 24-year-old rookie.

Zakee Wheatley showed a nose for the football at Happy Valley

ZAKEE WHEATLEY PICK!!!

WHAT A START

pic.twitter.com/9OdIAvewm9

— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) October 18, 2025

In his final four seasons at Penn State, Wheatley played in 54 games. He totaled a half-dozen interceptions, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Those nine takeaways are somewhat notable and that’s the kind of plays that the Panthers didn’t get from Veteran Nick Scott (who they re-signed this offseason) in 2025.

The seven-year pro started all 17 games and finished second on the team with 109 defensive stops, but managed only one interception and a fumble recovery.

Could the Carolina starting secondary have a new face come Week 1 when Canales’s team hosts the Chicago Bears? The situations bears a closer watch.