With the NFL Draft less than three months away, teams are preparing to revamp and tweak their rosters with future success in sight. 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 5 through 8 in the draft, featuring two NFC teams looking to return to the playoffs after subpar campaigns in 2024.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Team Overview:
After finishing 9-8 in both 2022 and 2023, the Jaguars stumbled to a 4-13 record in 2024, prompting the firing of head coach Doug Pederson. They had a point differential of -115 and finished 26th in scoring, 28th in points allowed, and 29th in turnover differential. With abundant needs on both sides of the ball, the Jaguars have a shot to significantly improve with competent picks in the draft.
Top Needs:
A glaring need is along the defensive line, where the Jaguars couldn’t stop the run, created very little pressure up the middle, and could benefit from an edge rusher. In the secondary, Tyson Campbell was solid, but there is a hole on the other side. In addition, safety Andre Cisco is a free agent, and Darnell Savage underperformed.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Jaguars need interior offensive linemen to protect Trevor Lawrence. Anton Harrison hasn’t lived up to the hype on the right side of the line, so expect the Jaguars to draft competition at that position. The Jaguars are also thin at the outside receiver position and need a solid backup quarterback with C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones both hitting free agency.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Jaguars have ten picks in this year’s draft with six tacked in the first four rounds. Expect the team to look to solidify the defensive line early with the offensive line to follow through round four. With the middle rounds, the Jaguars could look for a quarterback. Later rounds should address some wide receivers. Jacksonville can’t fill every hole through the draft and will likely add as much depth as possible through free agency
Las Vegas Raiders
Team Overview:
The Raiders are coming off their third consecutive losing season and, at 4-13, had their worst record since finishing 3-13 in 2014. The team was 30th in turnover differential, 30th in scoring, and 26th in points allowed. Playing in a very difficult AFC North in which the other three teams finished above .500 didn’t help the Raiders. The team needs big upgrades across the board. Finishing out of the basement in 2025 seems a stretch, but improving to near .500 would be a great accomplishment.
Top Needs:
The Raiders won two games late in the season to put themselves in a conundrum in terms of drafting a franchise quarterback. In addition to quarterback, the Raiders’ rushing game suffered without Josh Jacobs. Although Jakobi Meyers is solid, the need for a wide receiver was evident for the Raiders without Davante Adams. Significant improvement is needed at the guard position and depth at offensive tackle is thin.
On defense, the Raiders are extremely weak at cornerback. The linebacking group took a hit with Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo hitting free agency. The Raiders could need a defensive end should they fail to re-sign Malcolm Koonce and the team is also thin at defensive tackle.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Raiders could go for a quarterback in the first round, although a franchise quarterback might not be available. Their next best option would be to address the running back position or wide receiver. A solid running back should be available on Day 2 should the Raiders opt for the latter option. Addressing the cornerback position should be a priority in the earlier to middle rounds, as well as defensive line and offensive line. The linebacker group is thin, but might not be selected into the later rounds or in free agency.
New York Jets
Team Overview:
The Jets finished third in the AFC East with a record of 5-12. It was their ninth consecutive losing season and the franchise has not won a playoff game since the 2010 season. They were 25th in points scored, 20th in points allowed, and 17th in turnover differential. Aaron Rodgers was signed to solve the quarterback woes, but that has been an epic failure. It will be interesting to see if they give Rodgers another shot at the age of 41 or look elsewhere. In any event, the Jets are a far cry from contending with the Buffalo Bills and a likely improved Miami Dolphins’ team next season.
Top Needs:
Safety has been a pressing need for the Jets for some time, particularly with players at the position with contracts expiring. With Jermaine Jones out with and Achilles injury and Haason Reddick being a bust, the Jets are in dire need of a edge rusher. Defensive tackle is another trouble spot with Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw hitting free agency. Replacements are needed to bolster a questionable run defense. Cornerback could be a need position depending on whether or not the Jets re-sign D.J. Reed.
Offensively, the Jets need depth at wide receiver and a starting tight end. The Jets will need to re-sign at least one of offensive tackles Morgan Moses or Tyron Smith to avoid having to select a tackle in the draft. Quarterback could be a need position, depending on what the team decides to do with Aaron Rodgers.
Draft Strategy Tease:
Don’t be surprised if the Jets select an offensive tackle in the first round. There should be plenty of good wide receivers to choose from in the second round and a back up and perhaps future starting quarterback could be available in the third round. Defensive tackle, cornerback, safety, and edge rusher are the likely positions the Jets will look at in the middle rounds, with the best available players in the secondary and wide receiver good options with the last two picks.
Carolina Panthers
Team Overview:
The Panthers finished tied for third in the NFC South in 2024 with a record of 5-12. This was a three-game improvement from their 2023 season. They showed grit and improvement over an 0-3 stretch against the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, losing by total of only 12 points. The Panthers finished 20th in turnover differential and 23rd in points scored. Their biggest weakness was on the defensive side of the ball, allowed 31.5 points per game, by far last in the NFL.
Top Needs:
The Panthers have nine picks in the draft and will need to address nearly every defensive position for upgrades, added depth, or both. On the edge, the team finished last in pressure rate and the absence of Brian Burns was felt in a big way. Derrick Brown is a bright spot for the Panthers’ at defensive tackle, but he needs help at the other two spots. A linebacker is needed to replace Shaq Thompson, who is a free agent and coming off an injury. Perhaps the Panthers’ biggest weakness is their secondary, so adding safeties and cornerbacks is a top priority.
On offensive, the Panthers have a solid number two receiver in Xavier Legette, but are missing a number one outside receiver. Adam Thielen is still very capable in the slot. The Panthers could use a backup quarterback behind an improving Bryce Young, but will probably find a veteran via free agency to fill that spot. The offensive line is relatively solid with the exception of center. On special teams, place kicker Eddie Pineiro and punter Johnny Hekker as set to become free agents. The Panthers likely will reach into the free agent pool for replacements.
Draft Strategy Tease:
The Panthers have nine picks in the year’s draft. They one in each of the first three rounds, two in round four, three in round five, and one in round seven. Although defense was a biggest overall issue than offense, don’t be surprised if the Panthers go after a wide receiver with the 8th overall pick. The Panthers will likely address the secondary in the second round with either an edge rusher or linebacker in round three. With the center position a major problem last season, the Panthers will look for one with one of their two fourth round picks or three fifth round picks. With as many needs as the Panthers have, they are likely to select the best players on the board with the last two picks in round five and in round seven, which could include defensive linemen, safeties, or skill position players on offense. Look for the Panthers to pass on any kickers and punters in the draft and sign some out of college as free agents or those released from NFL rosters.
This wraps up the breakdown for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and Carolina Panthers Next week, we will focus on the 9th through 12th picks in the 2025 draft, featuring the New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys. The four teams combined for a record of 23-45. The 49ers and Cowboys are coming off subpar seasons and expect to add to their rosters to make a playoff push next season, while a .500 record for the Bears and Saints would be a significant improvement. You don’t want to miss what we have for you next, so follow Cerberus Fantasy Sports for all draft coverage needs.