5 NFL teams that have improved the most this offseason

It has been a busy offseason in the NFL, as the salary-cap crunch has forced a flurry of roster changes across the league.

Here are the five most improved teams so far.

New England Patriots James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Notable offseason moves:

Name	Position	Transaction
Hunter Henry	TE	Signed
Jonnu Smith	TE	Signed
Matt Judon	LB	Signed
Nelson Agholor	WR	Signed
Kendrick Bourne	WR	Signed
Jalen Mills	DB	Signed
Trent Brown	OT	Acquired in trade
Cam Newton	QB	Re-signed
David Andrews	C	Re-signed

Bill Belichick came back with a vengeance after pundits mocked his 2020 campaign. The Patriots attacked free agency aggressively, with the additions of Henry and Smith headlining the free-agent class.

The new tight end duo potentially gives the Patriots a high-profile pairing not seen since the days of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Whether the new signees live up to the hype is unknown, but it's a massive step in the right direction for a position group that was beyond poor in 2020. New England didn't have a tight end that exceeded over 200 receiving yards last season, with rookies Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene struggling to make an impact.

The Patriots weren't finished adding offensive talent around Newton, who also recently re-signed. Agholor heads over from the Raiders after a marvelous 2020 campaign, while Bourne is a nifty slot option.

Next, New England brought in a few chess pieces to its defense by signing Judon, Van Noy, and Mills. A two-time Pro Bowler, Judon adds a proven pass-rusher to a group featuring the likes of Chase Winovich and young up-and-comer Josh Uche. Meanwhile, Van Noy returns after a one-year stint in Miami and will serve many roles in Belichick's defense.

Mills also figures to be a versatile weapon on the backend and helps alleviate Patrick Chung's retirement. The former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back played in the box, up high, on the boundary, and in the slot last season.

Losing Joe Thuney hurts, but the Patriots kept the majority of their offensive line intact with Andrews' surprising return on a bargain four-year, $19-million deal. Acquiring Brown also gives New England one of the best right tackles, that is, if he can stay on the field. A projected line of Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, Andrews, Shaq Mason, and Brown is a unit not to be messed with.

Washington Football Team Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Notable offseason moves:

Name	Position	Transaction
Ryan Fitzpatrick	QB	Signed
Curtis Samuel	WR	Signed
William Jackson III	CB	Signed
Brandon Scherff	OG	Franchise tag

Samuel will see some familiar faces when he arrives in Washington, reuniting with his former head coach Ron Rivera and college teammate Terry McLaurin. Washington prioritized finding a pass-catcher to take attention off McLaurin, its top receiver, and the versatile Samuel does just that. The 24-year-old is coming off a career year, recording over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2020.

Washington's quarterback play went from being a snooze fest with Alex Smith last year to must-watch TV with Fitzpatrick's insertion. While Washington heavily relied on Smith sticking to the script to win, Fitzpatrick's improvisation skills will be a breath of fresh air. The veteran passer has the fourth-highest grade when working past his first read since 2019, per PFF. A unit of Fitzpatrick, McLaurin, Samuel, and Antonio Gibson gives Washington its most dynamic offense in quite some time.

If you thought Washington was content with the second-best pass defense in 2020, think again. Heading over from Cincinnati, Jackson will give NFC quarterbacks headaches. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio leaned toward more zone coverage last season, but Jackson gives him a cornerback capable of going on an island with the opposing team's top wideout. The 28-year-old ranked as the fourth-best cornerback in man coverage in 2020, allowing just 15 receptions on 40 targets.

After winning a fairly weak NFC East last season, Washington is clearly out to defend its crown and instill fear into its foes.

New York Giants Leon Halip / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Notable offseason moves:

Name	Position	Transaction
Kenny Golladay	WR	Signed
Adoree' Jackson	CB	Signed
John Ross	WR	Signed
Kyle Rudolph	TE	Signed
Devontae Booker	RB	Signed
Leonard Williams	DL	Re-signed

The Giants have given Daniel Jones a roster capable of making the playoffs, and now it's up to the young signal-caller to bring them there. Landing Golladay, the biggest free-agent receiver, gives New York a true alpha wideout that it desperately needed. Ross adds some serious top-end speed, while Rudolph opens up the possibility for two tight-end formations with Evan Engram.

New York kept swinging for the fences in free agency, handing Jackson $39 million to be its No. 2 cornerback alongside James Bradberry. Jackson took a step backward last season, allowing a passer rating of 145.8 when targeted, but he's been great when healthy. He is PFF's fourth-highest graded outside cornerback since 2018, and the Giants are banking on a big bounce-back effort from the 25-year-old.

Williams also received a three-year, $63-million extension after a breakout year. The former top-ten pick recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks last season and is a force to be reckoned with in the trenches.

The Giants dished out big money this offseason, signaling their intention to compete. While some of the signings present big risks, New York should be salivating at the potential reward.

Cleveland Browns Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Notable offseason moves:

Name	Position	Transaction
John Johnson	S	Signed
Troy Hill	CB	Signed
Anthony Walker	LB	Signed
Takkarist McKinley	DE	Signed
Malcolm Smith	LB	Re-signed
Rashard Higgins	WR	Re-signed

There might not be a more savvy free-agent acquisition than Johnson. A versatile safety who excels in a deep-safety role but can also play in the box, Johnson is exactly what the Browns' defense needed. Cleveland had some of the worst free-safety play last season, with Andrew Sendejo receiving the sixth-worst coverage grade at the position by PFF. Meanwhile, Johnson was the third-highest ranked safety in coverage.

Cleveland will pencil in Hill as its slot cornerback. The Ohio native can be used on the boundary or inside but had his career rejuvenated last season by playing mostly in the slot. He allowed a career-low 9.6 yards per completion in 2020 while also adding three interceptions.

The Browns also took a flier on McKinley - a former first-round pass-rusher - to pair opposite Myles Garrett. The linebacker group also got beefed up with Smith's return and the addition of Walker, who's recorded over 90 tackles in three of his four professional seasons.

New York Jets Frederick Breedon / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Notable offseason moves:

Name	Position	Transaction
Corey Davis	WR	Signed
Carl Lawson	DE	Signed
Keelan Cole	WR	Signed
Jarrad Davis	LB	Signed
Lamarcus Joyner	DB	Signed
Sheldon Rankins	DT	Signed
Marcus Maye	S	Franchise tag

It feels like Davis fits perfectly with what New York is trying to do on the field. The Jets haven't declared if they'll roll with Sam Darnold or another young passer, but Davis will surely help whoever is under center. Quarterbacks had a 126.3 passer rating when targeting Davis last season, per PFF. Over 55% of his yardage in 2020 also came from play-action, making Davis a great fit for new coordinator Mike LaFleur's offense.

Don't let the low sack numbers fool you; Lawson feasts on opposing offensive tackles and is a home-run signing. The former Bengals pass-rusher finished second in the NFL with 32 quarterback hits in 2020. Additionally, Rankins isn't the player he once was but adds to an already strong front seven alongside the likes of Lawson and Quinnen Williams.

The Jets made sure to apply the franchise tag on Maye, keeping their star safety off the market. Despite the defense allowing an air show week after week last season, Maye played at an elite level, earning a top-five safety grade from PFF. New York is hoping Joyner can help shut down aerial attacks as well. After a failed stint as a nickel cornerback with the Raiders, the Jets will look to position him back at his more natural safety role.

Cole and Davis fill out New York's free-agent haul. A nifty receiver who can play in the slot or out wide, Cole is a low-risk, high-reward signing. He put up over 600 yards with less than stellar quarterback play in Jacksonville last year. Meanwhile, Davis is a reclamation project at linebacker after losing playing time down the stretch with the Lions. Don't count on him in coverage, as he excels coming downhill.

After taking residence in the AFC East's basement for the last number of years, the Jets are banging on the door to move up.

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