Panthers draft safety net with Zakee Wheatley

Carolina Panthers fifth-round draft pick Zakee Wheatley will not be alone during his NFL baptism.

The Panthers open rookie minicamp Friday at the practice fields near Bank of America Stadium and Wheatley likely will have former Penn State teammate Cam Miller around to share the experience.

Miller serves as an undrafted free agent coming in to audition for a spot on the offseason's 90-man roster. The Panthers' coaching staff will direct the first-year players through a series of on-field drills during the three-day event.  

Wheatley probably will steal some of the staff's attention. He was part of Panthers general manager Dan Morgan's Day 3 haul that could ultimately shape the draft class over the next few seasons. 

Panthers poised to begin NFL rookie minicamp

The Panthers continue to add safety depth through the draft.

After Morgan inked Tre'von Moehrig to a three-year, $51 million free-agent deal in March 2025 and re-signed Nick Scott last winter, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evro likely employs his starters, with Wheatley and 2025 fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom settling into special teams/rotational roles.

Moehrig was rated as the No. 54-ranked safety last season, grading out at 62.5, per Pro Football Focus. Scott earned a No. 55 ranking and a 62.3 grade, while  Ransom was 67th at 59.5.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 203 pounds, Wheatley should bring another element to the safety room.

Sturdy against the run, Wheatley's 40-yard dash time (4.62 seconds) wasn't elite, but he created four interceptions and five passes defended during his two seasons as a starter for the Nittany Lions.

Pre-draft scouting reports suggested the lean athlete possessed the flexibility to play pass and run defense and remained experienced in zone schemes, similar to Evero's 3-4 base scheme. 

 Of the Panthers' 15 interceptions last season, only three came from safeties as Moehrig, Scott, and Ransom each had one.

Will Wheatley begin proving Friday that he can help improve that mark?