Panthers rookie Zakee Wheatley editing scouting reports  

JEFF HAWKINS | THE CHARLOTTE POST

Carolina Panthers safety Zakee Wheatley (20) has impressed teammates and coaches with his tackling and coverage ability in his rookie campaign.

Dave Canales appeared puzzled. 

When reminded of Zakee Wheatley’s pre-draft scouting report, the Carolina Panthers coach paused, questioning its accuracy. Entering April’s prospect showcase, ScoutingGrade.com labeled Wheatley with three glaring weaknesses: “Tackling technique, footwork and aggression on play fakes.” 

Advised to “drive through tackles, improve cross-body and man-coverage foot fire” and avoid getting “exploited with deep shots or double moves,” Wheatley’s range, length and instincts helped him maintain mid-round prospect status. 

Canales sounded confused over the eventual fifth-round pick’s college-level analysis. 

“I haven’t seen any of those things show up,” Canales told reporters.  

What he has seen contradicts the safety’s collegiate resume.   

Through the opening quarter of the NFL campaign, Canales witnessed Wheatley tackle with confidence and remained fundamentally sound in coverage.  Through five weeks, Wheatley matched Atlanta Falcons’ linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. for the league’s second-best rookie grade (83.6), per Pro Football Focus.

Wheatley also earned the highest defensive grade (82.6) among rookie safeties through four appearances, according to Pro Football Focus. 

“It’s a blessing to be here and I'm blessed to be in the position,” Wheatley said. “I just feel like I feel like all that’s good and all, it’s great to have good feedback, see the PFF, but at the end of the day, that doesn’t matter. PFF matters to certain people looking to it more, fans or whatever, but me being a young player, I’m really just trying to get better every day and not look at that, whether it’s good noise, bad noise, keep my head down and keep working and keep getting better.“ 

Wheatley altering scouts’ analysis 

Over the past six months, Wheatley continues to force opponents’ scouts to revise their reports. 

“(Wheatley’s) been doing a really good job,” quarterback Bryce Young said. “He’s been doing a great job of competing ever since he’s got here. He has great energy. We all have confidence in him. I’m excited for his future.” 

With the Detroit Lions threatening to enter the red zone during the Panthers’ 32-26 win Oct. 4, Wheatley, playing deep, read the Jahmyr Gibbs misdirection run call. Running at least 25 yards, Wheatley avoided a block to make the tackle. 

“It’s been cool being able to watch him get some snaps super early on in his career and him stepping up the way he did,” Young said. “You see him getting more and more comfortable.” 

Other teammates have noticed Wheatley’s comfort level. He enters Sunday’s game at the Philadelphia Eagles (2-3) with 14 total tackles (11 solo), seventh best on the roster. 

“He been grinding,” practice team cornerback Corey Thornton said. “He’s been locked in, you feel me?” 

Veteran Nick Scott added: “He’s just fitting in where needed, which is all you can do at this level. I’ve noticed his confidence coming in, owning his role.” 

Will Wheatley’s role continue to expand? 

After recording PFF’s highest Week 2 grade (93.7) for rookies, Wheatley continues to make a defensive impact. After his first three games, he missed just 6.7% of tackles. 

“He’s been a fantastic tackler in the open field,” Canales said. “He’s learning. I will say that while he's been in the right positions for the most part, I think the next step for (Wheatley) is to be able to evaluate things so we can all see how good his hands are. He's got magnificent hands.” 

Through four outings, the Panthers’ secondary, which is missing top Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, has yet to record an interception.  

Wheatley on improvement: ‘One percent every day’ 

Along with second-year safety Lathan Ransom, the Panthers are stocking the defense with the next wave of starters behind Tre’von Moehrig and Scott. While their statistics may have been inflated by the Week 1 rout by the Chicago Bears, the two veterans have recorded sluggish PFF grades. Moehrig (58.3) ranked No. 54 out of 96 qualified safeties. Scott (61.4) is No. 46. 
Is there a changing of the guard? 

Scott didn’t sound concerned, brushing aside hints of job security. 

“No, that’s not what this is all about,” he said. “Everybody’s coming in to work and compete. You can’t be insecure in this league and start operating from a place of being threatened. However, I can help these dudes just continue to ascend as players – that’s part of my job as well.” 

Like Canales, Scott was surprised to learn of Wheatley’s pre-draft scouting reports. Needs work on open-field tackling? Lacking fluid footwork and on-field awareness? 

“I don’t see any of that,” Scott said. “It’s not college anymore, right? Guys have their scouting reports and stuff like that, but when you get to this league, it’s all about what you do on Sunday. 

“He’s been good for us” 

Wheatley plans to get better.  

“I feel like I don’t have a ceiling,” he said. “There's always room for improvement. I think that’s more just how I was raised. Me being a young rookie, I feel like every day I just come here, focus, learn another thing or two, get one percent better every day, and then just just keep going, keep learning.” 

Comments