It’s no secret that the Las Vegas Raiders’ roster could use some help at free safety. It’s one of the Raiders’ biggest needs heading into the 2026 NFL draft, which should put Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley on Las Vegas’ radar.
As of March 25, Wheatley holds a third-round projection on NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, ranking as the 83rd overall prospect. That puts him between the Silver and Black’s third- and fourth-round picks (Nos. 67 and 102), and as an option in the middle of the draft for the club.
The former Nittany Lions’ ball production was underwhelming this past season, recording just one interception and one pass defended. But he did register three picks and four PDs in 2024 and brings a physical presence to the defensive backfield.
For example, he ranked sixth among Big Ten safeties with an 82.7 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus and was tied for ninth with 22 ‘defensive stops’ (run defense and in coverage combined) last fall. The year before, Wheatley finished second and tied for sixth with figures of 87.7 and 21 in the same respective metrics.
So, let’s dive into what the Penn State product could bring to Las Vegas.
While Wheatley was primarily a free safety during the first four years of his college career, recording nearly 60 percent of his snaps as a deep defender, per PFF, Penn State expanded his role this past season. They had him in the box more frequently, with 253 out of 658 of his snaps coming as a strong safety. For comparison, that accounted for over 50 percent of his career snaps at the position.
In other words, Wheatley can bring some position versatility to the secondary, and his ability to defend the run is a big reason why.
The Nittany Lions are backed up on the goal line in the lip above, so they put him in the box against this long-trap run from Iowa. Since the offense is trapping the defensive end, meaning the playside blockers leave the end unblocked while a puller comes to kick the end out, that means the safety ends up taking on the crack block from the wide receiver.
But Wheatly is ready for it, bracing for and absorbing contact from the receiver to avoid getting washed inside and to get penetration in the backfield. So, once he recognizes the quarterback run, he’s able to get off the block and get involved in the tackle for the goal-line stop.
Additionally, the former Nittany Lion can provide run support from the free safety spot, as he’s quick to trigger downhill, understands where he needs to be in run fits, and can make clean-up tackles to prevent explosive plays. Granted, he is lined up closer to the line of scrimmage than a typical free safety, here. However, he’s still about nine yards off the ball to give us an idea of how he can play the run from depth.
Post-snap, Wheatley reads the offensive line and immediately steps downhill when he sees the pull-lead concept from Oregon to close the gap. Then, he starts to fill the C-gap to take the rushing lane between the tight end and left tackle away from the running back, while staying under control and being in a position to make a play when the back bounces outside.
As a result, the safety can mirror the ball carrier and avoid getting caught in the trash, making a tackle for about a two-yard gain and setting up third-and-long for the defense.
Another aspect of Wheatley’s game that highlights his physicality is how he attacks screens in coverage. He’s the hammer instead of the nail when taking on blocks from wide receivers and can make tackles in space to limit gains.
Wheatley is covering the slot on this rep and is quick to recognize the Hawkeye’s screen, crashing downhill as the quarterback releases the ball. That, combined with being 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, helps him build up the momentum to physically dominate the wideout trying to block him. That takes away a lane from the ball carrier, forcing the ball carrier to bounce outside.
Finally, Wheatley manages to get off the block and make another tackle for a short gain, setting up another third-and-long situation.
This next rep isn’t nearly as forceful, but it’s another example of the safety making an impact tackle against a screen.
He’s lined up as a free safety this time, about 12 yards past the line of scrimmage, and against a diamond formation from Oregon. That’s a strong sign a screen is coming because offenses can get a numbers advantage by having three blockers account for the three cornerbacks, forcing the safety to come up and make a tackle. Granted, the Ducks don’t take advantage of that since two receivers block one cornerback.
However, the unblocked defender misses the tackle. Luckily, Wheatley is quick to trigger downhill once he sees the screen and breaks down to make the clean-up tackle for a short gain, again. Also, he takes a great angle here, where if the play did hit between the receivers’ blocks, he’d still be in a spot to keep the offense behind the sticks.
Finally, we’ll wrap up with Wheatley’s lone interception from last season, which provides some optimism that he can create more turnovers in the NFL because this is one heck of a catch.
Penn State is dialing up the heat, rushing five defenders and running Cover 1 behind it. So, the free safety has to stay deep to avoid giving up an explosive play. But Wheatley doesn’t just aimlessly get depth by backpedalling and taking himself out of position to make a play on any short routes. Instead, he lines up about 13 yards off the ball and trusts his initial depth, sinking just a yard or two post-snap.
Meanwhile, he has his eyes on the quarterback and drives on the slant route once the quarterback starts to throw. That, combined with finding the middle ground between staying deep and taking himself out of the play, allows Wheatley to come up with a one-handed pick off the drop from the wide receiver. Taking advantage of tips and overthrows is how free safeties can get paid in the league, and he does just that on this rep.
If the Raiders are looking for a ballhawk at free safety, then they’d be better off targeting LSU’s A.J. Haulcy or TCU’s Bud Clark than Wheatley. But the former Nittany Lion can impact both phases of the game and provide some versatility to Las Vegas’ defensive backfield, if the club wants to bring him aboard.
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