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As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, certain teams will be targeting certain areas of need, increasing their number of scouts for key areas. For the Philadelphia Eagles, safety is their number one priority as they could be faced with losing Reed Blankenship in free agency. Therefore, it makes sense that they could be taking a closer look at someone local.
Zakee Wheatley is near the top of the list when it comes to safety prospects in this draft class. While Ohio State's Caleb Downs is the clear No. 1 at the position and is likely to go within the top 10, Wheatley stands out in a cluster of other players as a potential early Day 2 pick. He has definitely put himself into those conversations due to his impressive play with the Nittany Lions and a standout performance in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.
In 2024, during Penn State's run to the CFP semifinals, Wheatley was a key aspect of that secondary. He accumulated 96 tackles and was named MVP of the Fiesta Bowl in Penn State's win over Boise State. While he had the decision to forgo his final season in Happy Valley, he decided to stay. Needless to say, his decision paid dividends.
In 2025, Wheatley impressed while others around him struggled. He had 74 tackles ad posted an 89.5 PFF grade, the eight best amongst all FBS safetis with at least 650 defensive snaps.
Now, after being named MVP of the Senior Bowl for the National team, Zakee Wheatley will accrue much more interest. For now though, the Eagles are the primary team that could be looking for a steal like Wheatley in the draft.
No matter what happens for Wheatley, chances are he will end up in a spot that allows him to contend for snaps early on in his career.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Philadelphia Eagles show interest in top Penn State draft prospect
Continue reading...
Zakee Wheatley is near the top of the list when it comes to safety prospects in this draft class. While Ohio State's Caleb Downs is the clear No. 1 at the position and is likely to go within the top 10, Wheatley stands out in a cluster of other players as a potential early Day 2 pick. He has definitely put himself into those conversations due to his impressive play with the Nittany Lions and a standout performance in Mobile at the Senior Bowl.
In 2024, during Penn State's run to the CFP semifinals, Wheatley was a key aspect of that secondary. He accumulated 96 tackles and was named MVP of the Fiesta Bowl in Penn State's win over Boise State. While he had the decision to forgo his final season in Happy Valley, he decided to stay. Needless to say, his decision paid dividends.
In 2025, Wheatley impressed while others around him struggled. He had 74 tackles ad posted an 89.5 PFF grade, the eight best amongst all FBS safetis with at least 650 defensive snaps.
Now, after being named MVP of the Senior Bowl for the National team, Zakee Wheatley will accrue much more interest. For now though, the Eagles are the primary team that could be looking for a steal like Wheatley in the draft.
No matter what happens for Wheatley, chances are he will end up in a spot that allows him to contend for snaps early on in his career.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Philadelphia Eagles show interest in top Penn State draft prospect
Continue reading...
