The 2025 NFL Combine is in the rearview mirror, and teams closely evaluate all the talent entering the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be held April 24 through April 26. 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 21 through 25 in the draft, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team Overview:
The Steelers finished 2024 with a 10-7 record for their 10th winning season in the last 11 years. However, they fell in the wild card round of the playoffs and haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Pittsburgh was 16th in points scored, 8th in fewest points allowed, and 2nd in turnover differential at +16. Adding some pieces to the offense might be enough for the Steelers to contend for the AFC North title this season.
Top Needs:
An upgrade is needed at quarterback with both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson hitting free agency. A solid wide receiver opposite George Pickens is necessary regardless of who is at quarterback. In the backfield, Najee Harris’ contact is expiring, but he was average at best. Along the offensive line, James Daniels is hitting free agency and is recovering from a torn Achilles. A tackle is needed opposite Trouy Fauanu with Dan Moore a free agent.
Although much of the defense was excellent, the Steelers struggled at cornerback. Donte Jackson and Cameron Sutton are both free agents, but they were both far from stellar last year and needed to be replaced regardless. New defensive ends are needed with Cameron Heyward aging and Larry Ogunjob coming off an abysmal season.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Steelers have seven picks in this year’s draft. Look for them to address the wide receiver and running back positions in the first two rounds. Addressing the interior defensive line issues is likely with picks in rounds three and four. The back end of the draft will be used to upgrade the secondary, offensive line, and don’t be surprised to see a late pick on a quarterback.
Los Angeles Chargers
Team Overview:
The Chargers rebounded from a 5-12 campaign in 2023 to 11-6 under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Although they fell in the wild card round of the playoffs, the Chargers’ 11 wins were the most since going 12-4 in 2018. They were 11th in scoring, but 1st in fewest points allowed, and tied for 4th in turnover differential. Playing in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs makes the task of winning the division very daunting, but the Chargers have a shot if notable upgrades are made offensively.
Top Needs:
The Chargers were solid overall on offense and Ladd McConkey was great as a slot receiver, but they need a legitimate outside threat. Running back J.K. Dobbins was excellent last season but is a free agent, so he needs to be re-signed or replaced through the draft or free agency. The bookends of the offensive line are legitimate, but the guard play was weak last year and center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers will need three new linemen with Poona Ford entering free agency and Otito Ogbonna and Morgan Fox coming off substandard seasons. The linebacker play was more than adequate, but Denzel Perryman is a free agent whose status to return is up in the air. In the secondary, Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton are both likely to leave. A punter will be needed with JK Scott also becoming a free agent.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Chargers have 11 draft picks with six of them in the last two rounds. The first four picks will likely be used to address needs at receiver, running back, tight end, and offensive line. Another running back, along with the secondary and linebacker, will be addressed with picks in rounds five and early in round six. Expect the Chargers to draft the best available player with their extra sixth-round picks and in round seven. A punter is needed but likely won’t be drafted and signed during free agency.
Green Bay Packers
Team Overview:
Despite finishing 3rd in the AFC North, the Packers made the playoffs for the 5th time in six seasons under Matt LaFleur. On a downside, the team lost in the wild card round and hasn’t advanced beyond the divisional round since losing the NFC Championship Game in 2020. The Packers were 8th in scoring, 6th in fewest points allowed, and tied for 4th in turnover differential at +12. Moving up in the division could be extremely difficult unless the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings take a step back after extraordinary regular seasons in 2024.
Top Needs:
A glaring weakness was in the secondary, particularly with the injury to Jaire Alexander. The other cornerbacks have also been subpar and need to be upgrades. A defensive tackle should be drafted to challenge former first-rounder Devonte Wyatt, who has been a bust. Defensive end Lukas Van Ness hasn’t lived up to his billing, so an edge rusher to add competition is a must.
Offensively, the Packers are loaded at wide receiver, however none of them are legitimate number one threats.
Center Josh Myers is a free agent, but an upgrade is needed regardless after mediocre play last season. Although kicker Brandon McManus was excellent during the regular season, his contract expired and is likely to move on. Punter Daniel Whelan was 28th in net average last season and an upgrade is certainly needed, likely via free agency.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Packers have eight selections in this year’s draft. An edge rusher and cornerback are the most obvious selections in the first two rounds. The interior of both lines is likely to be addressed during the third and fourth rounds with the best wide receiver available selected in the fifth round. Expect picks in the back end of the draft to focus on needs at linebacker, cornerback and offensive line. Needs at kicker and punter will likely be filled during free agency instead of through the draft.
Minnesota Vikings
Team Overview:
The Vikings are coming off their most impressive regular season since 1998 when they went 15-1. After a 14-3 regular season, the Vikings came up small in their 27-9 wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Minnesota finished tied for 4th in turnover differential, 9th in scoring, and 5th in fewest points allowed. There were very few glaring weaknesses on the team. It will be interesting to see how they tweak their roster through the draft and free agency in an attempt to dethrone the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
Top Needs:
While Aaron Jones was excellent in his first season with the Vikings, his contract is going to expire. In addition, he is 30 years old and the Vikings need to get younger at the position. Along the offensive line, the Vikings need an upgrade over Blake Branel. Tackle Cam Robinson is a free agent and depth is needed for Brian O’Neill.
The most glaring need on defense is along the line. Harrison Phillips was mediocre at best last season, while Jerry Tillery and Johnathan Bullard have entered free agency. The secondary is set to become very thin. Bryon Murphy is a given at the position, but three other cornerbacks are becoming free agents and need to be replaced. A young safety should be drafted with Harrison Smith now 36 years old.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Vikings only have four picks in this year’s draft and there is a big gap between their first-round pick and their compensatory pick in round three and number 97. I expect the team to add a guard to replace Blake Branel with their first pick. With needs on the defensive line, the third-round pick should be on a defensive tackle. Look for the best available running back to be picked in the fifth round as an eventual replacement for Aaron Jones. The best available player at cornerback is likely to be the last pick. Expect the Vikings to be active during free agency to address other needs.
This wraps up the breakdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, and Minnesota Vikings. Next week, we will focus on the 25th through 28th picks in the 2025 draft, featuring the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, and Washington Commanders. All four teams advanced at least to the divisional round of the playoffs with the Commanders reaching the NFC Championship game. The draft could add a crucial piece for these teams’ efforts to advance to the Super Bowl next season. You don’t want to miss what we have for you next, so follow Cerberus Fantasy Sports for all draft coverage needs.