Panthers' Zakee Wheatley tops PFF rookie grades as of Week 4
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 2, 2026, 11:45 AM
Last updated Oct 2, 2026
Zakee Wheatley of the Carolina Panthers is currently the highest-graded rookie according to Pro Football Focus, with an overall grade of 86.1 after three weeks. The safety's performance includes an impressive 93.7 grade in his debut against the Atlanta Falcons. Wheatley, drafted in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, has recorded 10 combined tackles and a forced fumble, showcasing his tackling and coverage skills with grades of 88.9 and 77.7, respectively. The Panthers enter Week 4 with much anticipation surrounding Wheatley's contributions to the secondary.
- •Zakee Wheatley holds an 86.1 overall defensive grade.
- •He debuted in Week 2 with a 93.7 grade.
- •Wheatley has 10 combined tackles and one forced fumble.
- •Carolina drafted him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
- •The Panthers look ahead to Week 4 for further development.
- 11:45 AMYahoo Sports — Panthers have PFF's highest-graded rookie entering Week 4
"Pro Football Focus' highest-graded rookie, at least through the first three weeks of the season, belongs to the Panthers.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 2, 2026, 11:54 AMBrowns winning games because of the “And” needed in football
NFL•Oct 2, 2026, 11:40 AMBrowns QB Deshaun Watson’s return to ‘form’ has caught Little Steven’s attention
NFL•Oct 2, 2026, 10:16 AMFormer Texas A&M CB in line to start for the Carolina Panthers
NFL•Oct 2, 2026, 10:06 AMPanthers named potential trade suitor for former 3rd overall pick
NFL•Oct 2, 2026, 9:04 AM‘You Can’t Be That Undisciplined’ — Hall of Fame DT Warns Sloppy Browns To Tighten Things Up After TNF Close-Shave vs. Steelers
NFL•Oct 2, 2026, 7:19 AMBrowns' Mason Graham exits Steelers game with knee injury, questionable to return