The [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) can take their pick of positions to address during the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s easy to see them targeting someone who can rush the passer, depth options at linebacker and/or tight end, competition along the offensive line, someone who can provide a spark to the skill position group, and... well, pretty much anything else you can think of.
I just don't think they can do it all…
If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will need to prioritize things perfectly and put together another superb draft class -- which might just include Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley:
**Bio:**
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**Zakee Wheatley**
**_Position:_** _S_
**_Height:_** _6' 3"_
**_Weight:_** _203 lbs_
**_Hand:_** _9 1/2"_
**_Arm:_** _31"_
**_Scouting Combine:_** _32.5" (Vertical), 10' 2" (Broad)_
**_2025 Stats:_** _12 G, 1 INT, 2.0 TFL, 74 TKL_
**Pros:**
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Wheatley can do whatever is asked of him, which makes him one of the more valuable options in this class -- there can be an argument made that he is the third best universal option behind Ohio State's Caleb Downs and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
* VERSATILE, CAN PLAY FROM VARIETY OF ALIGNMENTS (SLOT, DEEP THIRD, BOX)
* PHYSICAL COVERAGE PLAYER, DRIVES THROUGH THE FOOTBALL AND UTILIZES HANDS VERY WELL
* QUICK TO TRIGGER, CLOSES VERY WELL IN THE RUNNING GAME
* LENGTH IS HIS GAME, ALWAYS GETS HIS HANDS ON THE FOOTBALL
* FRAME TO ADD WEIGHT
**Cons:**
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Wheatley likely won't be able to play in the box full-time, at least not in his current frame or without adding strength.
* CHANGE OF DIRECTION ISN'T ALL THAT IMPRESSIVE
* NEEDS TO LEARN ABOUT COVERAGE, LACK OF ROUTE RECOGNITION GETS HIM IN TROUBLE
* NEEDS TO ADD WEIGHT
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**Grade and Player Comparison:**
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Wheatley needs to be given opportunities to figure it out, but you can tell that he eventually will. I'd be willing to bet that he settles as a free safety who has the ability to shift depending on how the roster is constructed around him/what is being asked of others.
**_GRADE:_** _81/100_
**_PLAYER COMP:_** _Calen Bullock_
**The Patriots \_\_\_\_\_\_ Zakee Wheatley:**
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"have already done their homework on"
New England hosted the young man on one of its first reported pre-draft visits, so it clearly likes something... Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard is a fantastic duo, but you'll soon need to replace the latter due to him coming in on a one-year deal, so the search starts immediately.
_**More NFL: [2026 NFL Draft Preview: Profiling Most Interesting Players In Class](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots/news/2026-nfl-draft-preview-profiling-most-interesting-players-class/778f608594c9c7f096ab3cd5)**_