With the 2016 NFL officially underway as OTA's begin, several teams were able to impress this off-season in the free agent market as well as the NFL draft. Sure, some teams were able to get a player or two, but these teams not only were able to sign players properly, they were also able to go out and draft the right players.
Sometimes rosters will look good just on paper, other times they truly come out and shine. The fact of the matter is, no one really knows what will happen until the season officially begins. Still, it's fun to analyze and see what teams are on the rise and what teams are falling. So without further adieu, here are my top five most improved teams from the 2016 NFL off-season.
5. Chicago Bears
While it was a quiet off season for the Bears in general, overall what they were able to bring in could be the x-factor of getting them out of the cellar for good. With the return of first round pick Kevin White to the offense, Jay Cutler will now have a second weapon to look for besides Pro-Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffery.
As for their defense, drafting outside linebacker Leonard Floyd to go along side newly acquired Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman will rebuild the linebacking core under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Adding Bobby Massie to their offensive line allows Kyle Long to move back to his natural position of guard, while Kansas St’s. Cody Whitehair should become a day one starter, and bolster their interior line for Jeremy Langford to gain more yards in 2016.
Getting Florida defensive end Jonathan Bullard in the third round was a steal for the Bears after his production for the Gators in both 2014 and 2015. While not the most elite runner, Jordan Howard’s size and ability to fight for yards should pair nicely with Langford’s speed on the outside.
Fangio cut 2.8 points per game off a defense that allowed 27.6 before he arrived. Now, the Bears are assembling talent to eliminate that number to something more up to their average.
4. New York Giants
When you can spend over $200 million in free agency, you’re owner is going to consider you a big winner. That’s exactly what happened when GM Jerry Reese stepped out of his office and into the free agent pool this off-season for the New York Giants.
While resigning Jason Pierre Paul might be a risk, his one year contract will allow the Giants to see if he’s fully back from his hand injury last season and if he’s worth a full time extension. New signings Olivier Vernon and Damon Harrison should plug up the defensive line, making it hard for team to run against their front four. Janoris Jenkins was the best man coverage cornerback available so he’ll contribute on the outside immediately while first round pick Eli Apple will get his feet wet while playing as the nickel and slot man inside of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
Sterling Shepard might not be the biggest player out there, but he can beat you on both the inside and outside with his excellent route running skills. Expect him, Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr. to be the smallest, yet most fearsome receiving core for Eli Manning this season. Meanwhile, adding Darian Thompson, the 19 career interception safety from Boise St. to play your free safety allows former Alabama safety Landon Collins to move down into the box and become versatile in both the running and passing attack.
With Ben McAdoo now at head coach, the Giants should continue their success on the offensive side of the ball. Last year, the Giants averaged 26 points a game with McAdoo as their offensive coordinator. They should average more points with healthy receivers and allow fewer score with their defensive overhaul.
3. Oakland Raiders
While many speculated the hire of GM Reggie McKenzie back in 2012, so far he has made several impressive moves to get the Raiders finally out of the cellar. After overhauling the offense in both 2014 and 2015 by drafting franchise quarterback Derek Carr along with Pro-Bowl receiver Amari Cooper, 2016 was the year of the defense for Reggie and CO.
Oakland ranked 26th last season in total pass defense. That should be fixed up in 2016 with the signings of both All-Pro cornerback Sean Smith and interception leader Reggie Nelson in the backfield. With Nelson turning 33 this season, the Raiders also found their long term answer when the drafted free safety Karl Joseph in the first round.
Adding former Seattle Seahawks Bruce Irvin to the pass rush just bolsters up the Raiders front seven and with the re-signing of Aldon Smith, Oakland could have one of the most deadly 1-2 pass rushing combos in the NFL. Even with the suspension of Smith, the Raiders were lucky to snatch up pass-rusher ShiliqueCalhoun to play either a five technique or a standing up edge rusher.
The Raiders were almost a playoff contention team in 2015 with a 7-9 record. With proper signings and recent drafting, they should be headed to the postseason in 2016.
2. Houston Texans
The Texans defense has been solid since Bill O’Brien and Romeo Crennel joined staff in the 2014 season. The offense however has seen a major decline since the days of Matt Schaub, Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. GM Rick Smith took a chance to add youth to an offense looking to finally make a push for the Super Bowl.
On the first day of free agency, Smith the Texans addressed major needs by adding quarterback Brock Osweiler, running back Lamar Miller and offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Tony Bergstrom. While many have speculated the price of Osweiler, who has only started eight career games (7-1), Smith believes that with quarterback guru O’Brien calling the shots, Osweiler will find his rhythm down in the “Lone Star State.”
In the draft, Houston was able to find two new weapons for Osweiler to work with. Notre Dame’s Will Fuller will become an immediate deep threat while former Ohio St. stud Braxton Miller is a piece of molding clay who could become the next big time slot receiver. Smith also added interior protection for Osweiler in the form of Notre Dame’s Nick Martin. Martin, brother of Dallas Cowboys center Zach, has a high football IQ and was ranked one of the highest interior linemen on the board during the second round.
Houston ranked 18th last season in total passing offense and 15th in points per game.
With five new offensive starters, expect to see the Texans offense ranked much higher in both categories in 2016.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars were the talk of the offseason after their big signing through free agency. Even with an impressive draft, GM Dave Caldwell might have put the Jags in playoff contention just by playing the bare minimum over the past five seasons.
Jacksonville’s defensive line was average against the run last year, ranking 15th in total yards allow. They should see their numbers skyrocket with the arrival of former Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson. Their 29th ranked passing defense should also improve with the signings of press cover cornerback Prince Amukamara and ball-hawking safety Tashaun Gipson. Both these players should come in as starters week one and take some pressure of the younger, inexperienced players.
Caldwell also might have found himself to long-term starters when he drafted former Florida St. defensive back Jalen Ramsey as well as former UCLA linebacker Myles Jack. Both these two, along with Dante Fowler Jr. should be starters week one and have pro-bowl potential written all over them.
While it wasn’t a necessary signing, adding in Chris Ivory to the backfield to help out former 2nd round pick TJ Yeldon is just another brilliant move by Caldwell. While they must prove it one the field, expect Jacksonville to be drafting outside the top 5 for the first time since 2011.
