Zakee Wheatley: Under-the-Radar Safety for NFL Draft

0:00It's April 9th. This is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the season. The 2026 NFL Draft is stacking up with a loaded safety class, possibly sending three into the first round, and it's deep all the way down. Penn State's Zeki Wheatley is one of those under-the-radar gyms at 6 foot 2, 203 pounds, blending smarts and versatility that could make him a solid pro contributor. He's got a lead football IQ, quick processing, and instincts that let him replays fast, whether it's run or pass. Wheatley flies to the ball, tackles with form, and handles blockers in the box while communicating coverage from the back end, perfect for nickel. Packages against modern offenses. Teams like the New York Giants, who added free agents but lost depth, might eye him as that reliable third safety. His run defense and ability to match tight ends or backs and coverage fill a real need, especially with how defenses are evolving to stop intermediate, passes, and ground

1:01games. That said, his athletic profile is quirky lacks top end speed and explosiveness off the line, leading to occasional later rivals from deep NA, higher mistackel rate when form slips. Still, his change of direction shines over shorter bursts. Overall, Wheatley projects as a day to pick, maybe slipping to day three for value, thriving as a box or rotational safety, who plays faster than he. Test teams building like the Seahawks could love plugging him in right away.