Will Lee III and Zakee Wheatley stay on track with rookie DB pact

Both defenders held top Oct. 1 rookie leaderboard spots.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 20h1 min read

Will Lee III and Zakee Wheatley on track with their best rookie DB pact https://t.co/ktj5Hq4hbn Via @Panthers on X

What happened: Lee earned a shot with the first-team defense on July 25 before partnering with fellow first-year defensive back Wheatley on a shared regular-season goal.

Why it matters: After detailing his adjustment to NFL speed on Sept. 6, Wheatley topped PFF's rookie defensive grade table while Lee opened an early gap atop the rookie pass-breakup race.

By the numbers: Wheatley entered the league as a fifth-round selection at No. 151 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft (as of Sept. 29, 2026).

What to watch: Both rookies continue their 2026 NFL regular-season slate aiming to sustain their early coverage and grading marks.

Sources

@Panthers 2026-10-23T13:59:01.199159+00:00

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