Ranking the NFL teams that had the best offseasons
The offseason is typically the time to inject hope and belief into the fan base of professional sports team.
Many teams in the NFL did just that by taking an all-in approach during free agency. A few re-energized their core by hiring new coaches, and some put together sensational draft classes.
Here’s one writer’s countdown of the top 15 NFL offseasons of 2015, which should help us identify which teams we should expect improvement from this year. 15. Carolina Panthers The Panthers signed Cam Newton and Greg Olsen to new multi-year contracts and beefed up the offensive line by adding Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin and drafting Daryl Williams. Linebacker Shaq Thompson and receiver Devin Funchess should become rookie starters and help Carolina defend its NFC South title. 14. St. Louis Rams Nick Foles should help stabilize St. Louis’ passing attack, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s in a make-or-break contract year. Coach Jeff Fisher wants to run the ball, so Todd Gurley (when
healthy) and offensive linemen Rob Havenstein, Jamon Brown and Andrew Donnal should help the Rams establish a power rushing attack. Defensive lineman Nick Fairley and linebacker Akeem Ayers are two of the biggest free-agent bargains of the offseason. 13. Seattle Seahawks The Seahawks didn’t need much, considering Seattle has made it to the Super Bowl two straight years, but adding Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham should help Russell Wilson play better in the pocket. If Seattle had gotten a multiyear deal done for Wilson or linebacker Bobby Wagner, the Seahawks would be ranked higher. 12. Cincinnati Bengals Defensive end Michael Johnson’s return and the addition of rookie linebacker Paul Dawson and rookie cornerback Josh Shaw should help the defense. And offensive linemen Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher should eventually become starters. 11. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars added im- pactful free agents in tight end Julius Thomas, defensive tackle Jared Odrick and cornerback Davon House. And three of Jacksonville’s 2015 draftees — tailback TJ Yeldon, offensive guard A.J. Cann and receiver Rashad Greene — could become immediate contributors. 10. Dallas Cowboys The Cowboys lost running back DeMarco Murray to the Eagles and haven’t gotten a deal done with receiver Dez Bryant, who is threatening a holdout despite being slapped with the franchise tag. But Jerry Jones’ team did sign forceful but troubled defensive end Greg Hardy (who is appealing his 10-game suspension) and re-signed linebacker Rolando McCain (who was second on the team in 2014 with 81 tackles). Dallas also added three rookies — Byron Jones, Randy Gregory and La’el Collins — who should contribute right away. 9. Oakland Raiders Receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper, tight ends Clive Walford and Lee Smith, tailbacks Trent Richardson and Roy Helu, and center Rod Hudson should help quarterback Derek Carr jumpstart Oak- land’s offense in his second season. Signing strong safety Nate Allen, linebacker Curtis Lofton and defensive tackle Dan Williams — and the selection of Florida State defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. — should help the Raiders’ defense become respectable in 2015. 8. Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson’s return should ease some of the pressure placed on quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in his second season. The Vikings landed Mike Wallace, a proven deep threat, in a trade with the Dolphins, but that transaction led to the release of Greg Jennings (who wound up in Miami). Minnesota also had a very productive draft that features three possible rookie starters in cornerback Trae Waynes, inside linebacker Eric Kendricks and offensive guard T.J. Clemmings. 7. Philadelphia Eagles If Sam Bradford is healthy, which is rare, he should be able to take Chip Kelly’s spread offense to the next level because of his knack for throwing receivers open. Running backs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews should make up for the departure of LeSean McCoy, whose trade to Buffalo brought linebacker Kiko Alonso to Philadelphia. Byron Maxwell will help the Eagles’ secondary tighten up, but Miles Austin and rookie receiver Nelson Agholor won’t make up for the free-agent defection of Jeremy Maclin, who signed with the Chiefs. 6. Cleveland Browns Quarterback Josh McCown could stabilize an anemic Browns offense, which should benefit from the addition of veteran receivers Dwayne Bowe, Brian Hartline and Andrew Hawkins. The Browns had one of the league’s better drafts, and more than half of Cleveland’s 12 picks — which include Danny Shelton, Cameron Erving, Nate Orchard, Duke Johnson, Xavier Cooper, Ibraheim Cooper, Vince Mayle and Charles Gaines — could become immediate contributors, if not starters. 5. New Orleans Saints The Saints began the offseason $23 million over the salary cap but still managed to make sound moves, including the additions of cornerback Brandon Browner, center Max Unger, tailback C.J. Spiller and inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe. The Saints lost Jimmy Graham, Ben Grubbs, Kenny Stills and Curtis Lofton from last year’s 7-9 team, but they put together one of the better draft classes, nabbing Andrus Peat, Stephone Anthony, Hau’oli Kakaha and P.J. Williams. 4. New York Jets In one offseason, new coach Todd Bowles remade the Jets’ secondary by signing Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine. Receiver Brandon Marshall joins his third team in five years, but he should have enough left in the tank to help Geno Smith or Ryan Fitzpatrick, who was traded for this offseason. Adding USC’s Leonard Williams in the first round of the draft should make an already forceful defensive line better. 3. Miami Dolphins The Dolphins landed four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in free agency and got longterm deals done for quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey. The Dolphins also retooled their weapons on offense by adding tight end Jordan Cameron and receivers Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker. The Dolphins purged a number of veterans to reduce the payroll, but they are optimistic that several youngsters will take the next step. 2. Buffalo Bills Rex Ryan will bring his in-your-face style to Buffalo, which has the playmakers and the defense to back up his aggressive approach. Adding elite tailback LeSean McCoy, tight end Charles Clay, slot receiver Percy Harvin and offensive guard Richie Incognito in free agency should jump-start the offense. But the Bills are still missing a decent quarterback unless Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel or Tyrod Taylor takes a step forward. 1. Indianapolis Colts Adding Frank Gore, Andre Johnson and rookie receiver Phillip Dorsett to an offense that was already viewed as one of the NFL’s best should provide the finishing touches to this AFC South juggernaut, which lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game. The additions of Kendall Langford and Trent Cole and the return of Robert Mathis should help Indianapolis tighten up on defense.