The 2025 NFL Combine begins this week as teams will closely evaluate all the talent entering the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be held in two months. Teams are preparing to fill holes and tweak their rosters to put the best product on the field each week.. Cerberus Fantasy Sports continues to break down four teams weekly with insights on team needs and overall draft strategies. This week we look at picks 17 through 20 in the draft, featuring the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos.
Cincinnati Bengals
Team Overview:
The Bengals have missed the playoffs each of the last two seasons, finishing 9-8 both years. On a positive, the team won its last five games, including wins against the Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals were 6th in scoring, but only 25th in points allowed, and 14th in turnover differential. Finishing only a game out of a playoff spot, the Bengals are in a good position moving forward with a solid draft that addresses their numerous defensive deficiencies.
Top Needs:
The Bengals drafted two defensive tackles last year, but both struggled. In addition, B.J. Hill is a free agent, so the team is thin along the defensive line unless they are depending on improvement from McKinley Jackson or Kris Jenkins. Help is needed at cornerback opposite Dax Hill, particularly if Mike Helton leaves via free agency.
The safeties played terrible last season and upgrades are needed at both positions.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals need an upgrade along the interior of the line to protect Joe Burrow. Tackles Amarius Mims and Orlando Brown were far from stellar and drafting a tackle or adding a veteran is imperative. Wide receiver Tee Higgins and tight end Mike Gesicki are hitting free agency so upgrades at both positions are possible.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Bengals have six picks in this year’s draft and expect to address the defensive line with the first two picks. Should Tee Higgins not re-sign, the Bengals should go for a wide receiver in round three and use two of their last three picks to solidify the interior of the offensive line. The last pick mixed in will likely be the best available player at safety, cornerback or edge rusher. Should the Bengals to add pieces to the defense via free agency or possible trades.
Seattle Seahawks
Team Overview:
The Seahawks posted their first 10-win campaign since 2024, but failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season. They were 18th in scoring and 25th in turnover differential, but were a solid 12th in points allowed. The good news is that they were tied in wins with the 1st-place Los Angeles Rams last season. The bad news is that the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers should be vastly improved, making for a potentially very tight division this coming season.
Top Needs:
Offensively, the Seahawks need to look for an eventful replacement for 35-year-old quarterback Geno Smith. As important as a quarterback is, his protection up front is vital. Seattle had one of the worst interior offensive line play in the league after Connor Williams retired. Adding a center and perhaps two guards is vital this offseason.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks need a quality edge rusher and defensive end, especially if Jarran Reed leaves in free agency. The linebacking group was solid last year with Ernest Jones anchoring the run defense, but his contract is set to expire. Seattle is solid in the secondary with Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon at cornerback but could use an additional piece, particularly having to face the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams twice a season.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Seahawks have eight selections in this year’s draft. Don’t be surprised to see them land a quarterback in the first round. If not, an interior offensive lineman is a sure thing. Also in the early rounds, expect the team to add an edge rusher. Middle round picks are likely to address the defensive line with back end picks focusing on the defensive line, secondary, and perhaps best skill position players available. Any need not added through the draft will be secured in free agency or perhaps some via trade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Team Overview:
The Buccanneers won the NFC South for the 4th straight season with a 10-7 record in 2024. They fell in the wild card round and haven’t advanced past the divisional round since the 2020 season when they won the Super Bowl. The Buccaneers were 16th in points allowed, 3rd in scoring, but only 23rd in turnover differential Despite plenty of needs defensively, the Buccaneers should be in good position in the 2025 season in perhaps the weakest division in the NFC.
Top Needs:
The main needs for the Buccaneers fall on the defensive side of the ball. A glaring weakness was covering the middle of the field. At least one linebacker is needed and perhaps a second if Lavonte David leaves via free agency. An edge rusher is crucial opposite Yaya Diaby and defensive end Logan Hall has been a disappointment. In the secondary, conerback Jamel Dean is solid, but Zyon McCollum’s play late in the season was questionable. Help is also needed at safety along side of Antoine Winfield Jr.
No much is needed to bolster the Buccaneers’ high-powered offense, however depth behind Mike Evans is needed, parituclalry if Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan aren’t re-signed.A guard will be needed to replace Ben Bredeson, who was a glaring weakness last season. Although the Buccaneers don’t punt often, it was a major weakness last season, ranking among the worst in the league.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Buccaneers have six picks in this year’s draft. Expect them to land a linebacker in the first round, perhaps Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama. An offensive tackle or edge rusher is a likely selection in the second round with the middle rounds focusing on the defensive secondary. Another linebacker could be selected along with the best available skill position player with the last two picks. A punter could be signed as an undrafted free agent or a veteran punter could be signed this offseason.
Denver Broncos
Team Overview:
Things are looking up for the Broncos after their first 10-win season since 2015 when they won the Super Bowl. They finished third in a very competitive NFC West behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. Denver was 11th in turnover differential, 10th in scoring, and 3rd in points allowed. There are very few weaknesses on defense. Upgrades on the offensive side of the ball should put the Broncos in position to overtake the Chargers in the division and return to the playoffs.
Top Needs:
A huge need offensively is at running back, but the Broncos could opt pursue Mark Ingram or Alvin Kamara rather than select one in the draft. At wide receiver, Cortland Sutton was exceptional, but there is need for a legitimate number two receiver. The Broncos might also look for an upgrade at tight end over Greg Dulcich. Adding an offensive tackle is a possibility with some contracts expiring.
Despite having a top five defense last season, there are some needs on that side of the ball. A cornerback is needed to join Rilehy Moss and Patrick Surtain II, while a safety is needed as an upgrade over P.J. Locke. Added depth is needed along the defensive line and edge rusher with D.J. Jones a free agent. The Broncos need at least one linebacker and perhaps two if Cody Barton is not re-signed. Punter Riley Dixon is also a free agent.
Draft Strategy Tease:
Don’t be surprised if the Broncos land running back Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State in the first round. A second-round selection will likely address the secondary, while landing a potential number two receiver in the third round is a possibility. The middle rounds should be used to address needs at the linebacker and tight end positions. The late rounds will likely be used for depth along the offensive and defensive lines with the best available players.
This wraps up the breakdown for the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos Next week, we will focus on the 21st through 24th picks in the 2025 draft, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings. All four teams finished above .500 last season an earned wild card berths in the playoffs, however none of the four teams advanced past the first round. The draft could be crucial for the teams making a deeper run in the postseason.. You don’t want to miss what we have for you next, so follow Cerberus Fantasy Sports for all draft coverage needs.