It's still early in the game—but so far, the most impressive draft picks for the Carolina Panthers this year have been defensive backs Will Lee III and Zakee Wheatley. Lee has been thrust into a starting role after injuries to starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, while Wheatley has been consistently flashing in a supporting role at safety.
Although he didn't make ESPN's top 10 rookies list, Wheatley did get a shoutout from Jordan Reid as a Day 3 pick that's overperforming.
The fifth-round pick has yet to record an interception in the NFL, but his impact has been felt in a Panthers secondary that has been decimated by injuries. He has three pass breakups, showcasing excellent range to make a play on the ball in pass coverage. When
defending the run, Wheatley takes consistent angles and is able to come to balance when tackling. His eight tackles on rushes are seventh most among all rookie safeties.
Despite the small sample size, we have seen enough from Wheatley to believe that the rookie should be starting next to Tre'von Moehrig. His exciting blend of size, speed and instincts have shined through already, probably leaving many to question how he even lasted to the Panthers back in the spring.
In addition to strong traditional numbers, Pro Football Focus is a big fan of what Wheatley has done so far. They have him graded out at 89.3 overall, which ranks third among safeties with enough snaps to qualify.
Looking ahead, both Wheatley and Lee should project as long-term starters once Scott and Jackson have moved on—perhaps as soon as next season.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers rookie DB 'overperforming' heading into Week 8
