With free agency and the draft in the rearview mirror, it’s a perfect time to assess which teams improved the most this offseason.
Some teams aced the draft, but the ones that will make the most noise throughout the 2023 NFL season are those that had a good mix of veteran and rookie additions.
Every team is on a different path, with some in the midst of a rebuild project, while others are fighting to get over the postseason hump. Steps forward can’t be taken without productive offseason moves during free agency and the draft.
Here are the 10 most improved teams from the entire NFL offseason.
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10. Cleveland Browns
Key veteran additions: WR Elijah Moore, DT Dalvin Tomlinson, DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, S Juan Thornhill
Key draft additions: WR Cedric Tillman, DT Siaki Ika, OT Dawand Jones
Analysis: The Browns made a handful of under-the-radar moves to address concerns on both sides of the trenches. Tomlinson and Ika will be tasked with improving Cleveland’s run defense, while Jones will give the team flexibility as the swing tackle (with the possibility of pushing for a starting spot). Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who had six subpar performances during his first season in Cleveland, could establish a passing rhythm with the arrivals of Moore and Tillman. The Browns’ additions didn’t generate headlines, but they might make them playoffs contenders this season.
9. Miami Dolphins
Key veteran additions: WR Chosen Anderson, LB David Long Jr., CB Jalen Ramsey
Key draft additions: CB Cam Smith, RB Devon Achane
Analysis: With Ramsey as the centerpiece of the offseason, the Dolphins went from a wild-card team to a strong contender in a loaded AFC East. Long is an ideal playmaker for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Smith, a second-round pick, adds depth to a stacked secondary with Ramsey, Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland. If this secondary excels, it might be enough for the Dolphins to win their conference, which features a gantlet of star quarterbacks. Achane, a third-round pick, will give Miami’s impressive offense another speedy playmaker—he ran a blazing 4.32 seconds during the 40-yard dash at the combine.
8. Chicago Bears
Key veteran additions: RB D’Onta Foreman, WR DJ Moore, TE Robert Tonyan, OG Nate Davis, ILB T.J. Edwards, ILB Tremaine Edmunds
Key draft additions: OT Darnell Wright, DT Gervon Dexter Sr., CB Tyrique Stevenson, DT Zacch Pickens
Analysis: The Bears’ lengthy list of offseason additions will likely lift them from the bottom of the NFL power rankings to a promising team during Year 2 of GM Ryan Poles’s rebuild project in Chicago. Quarterback Justin Fields will get a fighting chance to prove he’s the real deal with Moore (a legitimate No. 1 wideout), Davis (a 6'3", 316-pound interior lineman), and Wright (the team’s first-round selection who plays with an edge on the field). Bears coach Matt Eberflus and his defense will also get a chance to compete with free-agency headliners Edmunds and Edwards.
7. Atlanta Falcons
Key veteran additions: WR Mack Hollins, TE Jonnu Smith, DE Calais Campbell, DT David Onyemata, LB Kaden Elliss, OLB Bud Dupree, S Jessie Bates III, CB Jeff Okudah
Key draft additions: RB Bijan Robinson, OG Matthew Bergeron
Analysis: The Falcons had a well-executed offseason plan, improving the defense first through free agency before giving the offense a splash with the first-round selection of Robinson, a versatile weapon who has received comparisons to Saquon Barkley. After generating only 21 total sacks last season, the Falcons bolstered the defensive front with Campbell, Onyemata, Elliss and Dupree. Atlanta also provided help for cornerback A.J. Terrell with the additions of Bates and Okudah. The Falcons will be fun offensively and pesky defensively, but that might not be enough to compete for a postseason appearance if second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder doesn’t deliver.
6. Carolina Panthers
Key veteran additions: RB Miles Sanders, WR Adam Thielen, WR DJ Chark, TE Hayden Hurst, DT Shy Tuttle, S Vonn Bell
Key draft additions: QB Bryce Young, WR Jonathan Mingo, DE DJ Johnson
Analysis: The Panthers got the nod over the Falcons because they upgraded at quarterback with Young, who rose to be the No. 1 pick in the draft thanks to his ability to be a quick processor and dynamic playmaker away from the pocket. The offseason additions lacked star power outside of Young, but the Panthers added a handful of quality starters across the roster. Sanders might not be a top-five running back and Thielen might be a step slower, but they’ll still make life easier for Young. Taking a glance at Carolina’s starting depth chart, it might be the best team in the NFC South.
5. Houston Texans
Key veteran additions: RB Devin Singletary, WR Robert Woods, WR Noah Brown, TE Dalton Schultz, DT Sheldon Rankins, S Jimmie Ward
Key draft additions: QB C.J. Stroud, DE Will Anderson Jr., C Juice Scruggs, WR Tank Dell
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Analysis: After three consecutive seasons of four wins or fewer, the Texans had the most room for improvement this year. They finally took steps forward in their rebuilding process, securing two of the top three draft picks to select Stroud and Anderson. Many have knocked the Texans for relinquishing a 2024 first-round pick to the Cardinals to select Anderson—but the second Houston drafted Stroud, it needed to go all in on helping the rookie QB succeed and not worry about future draft picks. If Anderson produces at a high level, that means the Texans’ defense will have improved, which will also benefit Stroud with complementary football. Without having to worry about potentially losing his job to Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, Stroud could have a memorable rookie season with a pass-catching crew of Schultz, Woods, Brown and Dell (a third-round pick).
4. New York Giants
Key veteran additions: WR Parris Campbell, TE Darren Waller, DL A’Shawn Robinson, ILB Bobby Okereke
Key draft additions: CB Deonte Banks, C John Michael Schmitz, WR Jalin Hyatt
Analysis: New York rewarded quarterback Daniel Jones with a massive contract extension followed by much-needed upgrades at the skill positions. The Giants can now deploy a competitive track and field relay team, with new downfield threats Campbell and Hyatt to go with Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson. But Jones will benefit the most with Waller as his new starting tight end. The defense will also be better with the addition of Okereke, a savvy playmaker, and Banks, the promising first-round pick who might develop into a standout No. 1 outside cornerback.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
Key veteran additions: WR Allen Robinson, OG Isaac Seumalo, CB Patrick Peterson
Key draft additions: OT Broderick Jones, CB Joey Porter Jr., DT Keeanu Benton, TE Darnell Washington
Analysis: It won’t be a surprise if the Steelers post double-digit wins in 2023, judging from their offseason moves—and because Mike Tomlin has never had a losing record in 15 seasons as coach. The Steelers improved Kenny Pickett’s offensive line with Seumalo and first-round pick Jones. And perhaps Robinson will have a bounce-back season playing alongside Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. Washington could be a steal for the Steelers as a third-round pick, and even if he doesn’t reach his upside, he’ll probably have a safe floor as a 6'7" red zone target and stout blocker. Peterson and Porter Jr., on the other hand, will fill needs in the secondary to give a stacked defense more playmakers.
2. New York Jets
Key veteran additions: QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Allen Lazard, WR Mecole Hardman, WR Randall Cobb, DT Quinton Jefferson, S Chuck Clark
Key draft additions: DE Will McDonald IV, C Joe Tippmann, OT Carter Warren
Analysis: Rodgers’s arrival turned the Jets into Super Bowl contenders, but the team probably could have done more to help their middle-aged quarterback. They waited until the fourth round to address their tackle concerns, eventually selecting Warren. And the new group of receivers (Lazard, Hardman and Cobb) appears underwhelming. McDonald might have been a reach as the No. 15 pick, but coach Robert Saleh needed another pass rusher. Rodgers and a talented 2022 draft class might make the Jets AFC East champions, but they can go only so far in the postseason if the offensive line struggles.
1. Seattle Seahawks
Key veteran additions: C Evan Brown, DL Dre’Mont Jones, IDL Jarran Reed, ILB Bobby Wagner
