The 2025 NFL free agency period is officially upon us and the NFL Draft is only six weeks away. Teams in the late part of the first round have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations and look to fill holes and tweak their rosters. 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 25 through 28 in the draft featuring the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions.
Houston Texans
Team Overview:
The Texans are coming off their second straight 10-win season after compiling a record of 11-38-1 the previous three. They finished 19th in scoring, 14th in points allowed, and 7th in turnover differential. After losing in the divisional round in each of the last two seasons, the Texans look to secure another division title and further advance in playoffs in 2025.
Top Team Needs:
Offensively, the Texans need a receiver with Stefon Diggs a free agent and Tank Dell recovering from a knee injury. Despite trading for Christian Kirk, another receiver should be added for depth. The offensive line needs an overhaul. Shaq Mason and Tytus Howard need to be replaced at guard. Adding a tackle to go along with Blake Fisher is a possibility.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Texans were porous against the run, mainly due to insufficient play at defensive tackle. Two starters are needed there. In addition, depth is needed behind the three starters at linebacker. Secondary depth is needed with all backups at the position hitting free agency.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Texans have six picks in the draft and are likely to address talent at wide receiver, running back, and offensive line for the first three rounds. Expect a fourth round selection to target a run stopper on the interior of the defensive line. The last two picks are likely to be used to add to the secondary and offensive line with the best available at each position.
Los Angeles Rams
Team Overview:
Despite allowing more points than points scored, the Rams won 10 games and nearly pulled off an upset in the snow in Philadelphia before losing the divisional round game. The Rams were 17th in points allowed, 20th in points scored, and 13th in scoring differential. Expect an increasingly competitive NFC West in 2025 with improvements to the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. The Rams will need a solid draft and sound moves in free agency to duplicate last season’s performance.
Top Team Needs:
Some needs on the offensive side of the ball have been addressed with the signing of wide receiver Davante Adams and left tackle Alaric Jackson. With Cooper Kupp’s production declining and Demarcus Robison a free agent, drafting a receiver is a possibility. Center Beaux Limmer showed his inexperience at center as a rookie last season and competition could be added in the draft.
With the loss of defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, the Rams need a run-stopper. A glaring weakness last season was covering the middle of the field. Omar Speights is solid, but the Rams need a new linebacker next to him to bolster the defense. In addition, there were issues covering receivers downfield. Ankello Witherspoon is a free agent, but the position should be upgraded even if he re-signs.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Rams have eight picks in the draft to add significant pieces to the roster. The first selection is most likely going to address the weaknesses at linebacker or cornerback. A solid wide receiver or tight end should be available with the second selection, with defensive line and running back good choices for middle-round selections. The end of the draft could be used to add depth along the offensive line with the best player available either at center or tackle.
Baltimore Ravens
Team Overview:
Although winning the AFC North for the second consecutive season, the Ravens took a step back losing in the divisional round. They have won six divisional titles and a Super Bowl under John Harbaugh since he took over as head coach in 2008. Last season the Ravens were 9th in fewest points allowed, 3rd in scoring, and 10th in turnover differential. To fight off the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals next season will take continued fine tuning of an already excellent roster.
Top Team Needs:
Offensively, the Ravens have interior line issues with Patrick Mekari signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Daniel Faalele’s substandard play last season. There are very few other issues on offense except for slot receiver. An upgrade over Nelson Agholor is likely to be found through the draft or free agency.
The Ravens were surprisingly poor covering outside receivers last year. Look for an upgrade at cornerback to address this issue. A defensive end, along with an edge rusher, could be added to their defensive line rotation. Linebacker Roquan Smith was still fantastic last year, but the Ravens need to add another linebacker beside him to help.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Ravens are stocked with 11 selections in this year’s draft. Expect the team to select a cornerback and an edge rusher with their first two picks. A wide receiver selection in the fourth round is not out of the question, followed by picks to address the interior offensive line troubles. Most of the later picks are likely to be used for linebacker depth, an interior defensive lineman, and perhaps another wide receiver.
Detroit Lions
Team Overview:
After dominating the regular season with a 15-2 record, the Lions stumbled in the divisional playoff round against the Washington Commanders. The Lions were 1st in scoring and 8th in turnover differential, but only 20th in fewest points allowed. The Lions haven’t advanced to the NFC Championship Game since 1991 and have a legitimate shot in 2025 with good health and a few tweaks to the roster.
Top Team Needs:
The Lions had the best offense in the league last season and need very little help on that side of the ball. Depth will be needed at wide receiver with Tim Patrick a free agent. Guard Kevin Zeilter is a free agent who needed to be re-signed or replaced, likely with a draft pick.
The biggest issues were in the secondary as the Lions were abysmal at covering any of the Commanders’ players in the playoffs. Carlton Davis signed with the New England Patriots in free agency. The Lions could use two cornerbacks. Along the defensive line, a new edge rusher is needed alongside Aidan Hutchinson, who missed all but five games last season. Although Alim McNeill is a stellar defensive tackle, he is coming off a torn ACL. The Lions need to sign another tackle via free agency or in the draft as insurance.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Lions only have six picks in the draft with their last four in the 4th round or later. Expect the Lions to go after a defensive tackle or edge rusher with their first round selection, with another edge rusher or cornerback with the next selection. Offensive line help and depth at linebacker is likely to be addressed with two of the last three picks, with perhaps the best available wide receiver with the last selection. Any other holes that need to be filled will be addressed via free agency or possibly a trade.
This wraps up the breakdown for the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions.. Next week, we will focus on the 29th through 32nd picks in the 2025 draft, featuring the Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles. The teams represented the cream of the crop in 2024, with the Eagles taking down the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. The draft could add a crucial piece for these teams’ efforts to win the Lombardi Trophy. You don’t want to miss what we have for you next, so follow Cerberus Fantasy Sports for all draft coverage needs.