2012 NFL Free Agency: Which Teams Drastically Improved Their Rosters?

For almost two weeks, free agency has been a fast-paced, fluid situation.

Teams have pursued superstars and special teams stars, quarterbacks and backups. Some teams addressed big needs. Other teams didn't make many splashes and are waiting for the draft.

Denver seemed to be the big winner, signing Peyton Manning while acquiring draft picks for Tim Tebow. Other teams like Buffalo (Mario Williams) and Tampa Bay (Vincent Jackson) filled a big need, but paid big money to do so.

So how do you know which teams succeeded in free agency? Here are some criteria that will answer that question:

• Team signs a key player
• Team retains a key player from the previous year
• Team fills a void left by a departing player
• Team didn't overpay for player
• Team fulfilled needs before draft, giving them more roster flexibility

While most teams made at least one move in free agency, there are five teams I believe drastically improved their rosters.

1. New Orleans Saints

Buried beneath the Saints bounty debacle was a very strong free agency performance by their front office.

When Carl Nicks signed with the Buccaneers on March 14, it took the Saints just one day to sign Ben Grubbs (Baltimore). It was clear that Grubbs was the class of Baltimore's offensive line throughout his five seasons in the Charm City. Like any offensive lineman, Grubbs had his share of injuries, but he only missed eight starts in five years.

Grubbs (6'3", 310 pounds) is every bit as talented as Nicks (6'5", 343 pounds). Grubbs made a living playing against the Steelers, Bengals and Browns in bad, uncomfortable weather. He's a smart, tough player in his prime that should fit right in with what the Saints like to do on offense.

The Saints signed two big-time defenders as well. Curtis Lofton, formerly the captain of the Atlanta Falcons defense, is in the same mold as current Saints middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Both are aggressive, instinctive players who fly to the football.

In his four seasons with the Falcons, Lofton averaged 123 tackles, four passes defensed and two forced fumbles per season. He's only missed one start (rookie year), and is coming off his best season to date. New Orleans signing him to a five-year deal was a huge step towards restoring their defensive image.

If there is a downside to the Lofton signing, I don't see it. Both Vilma and Lofton are willing to share the middle linebacker spot if that's what it takes to win.

The third player the Saints signed that should pay immediate dividends is defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley. From 2006-10, Bunkley played for the Eagles, and then became a member of the Broncos in 2011.

Bunkley is a run-stuffer, which is good for the Saints, because the other NFC South teams boast such running backs as: Michael Turner (247 pounds), Jonathan Stewart (235 pounds), Mike Tolbert (243 pounds) and LeGarrette Blount (247 pounds).

Being on his third team in as many years may be tough for the sixth-year man out of Florida State, but New Orleans definitely presents Bunkley with the best shot to win a Super Bowl he's ever had.

They lost their All-Pro left guard, and didn't blink. They solidified their defense by adding a stout defensive tackle and a tackling machine at linebacker.

Now the Saints just need to work out a long-term deal with Drew Brees, or else next year's free agency period could be torture.

2. Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have been a strong offensive team for years. Their defense needed help, particularly in the secondary.

Brandon Carr, entering his fifth season, was the top free agent cornerback on the market. Coming from Kansas City, he knew he'd get paid well. Dallas signed him to a five-year deal worth over $50 million.

Carr has started in every game since he entered the NFL in 2008. In that time, he's averaged 59 tackles, 16 passes defensed and two interceptions per season. He is what the Cowboys needed—a physical, cover corner.

Dallas also made key signings on the offensive side of the ball. The Cowboys signed another member of the 2011 Chiefs, quarterback Kyle Orton (to back up Tony Romo). Orton has shown he's a good starting quarterback, so giving him $10.5 million over three years should prove to be a worthwhile insurance policy.

Another offensive free agent making the move to Dallas is fullback Lawrence Vickers. After paving the way for Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster in 2011, Vickers will move north to be the lead blocker for DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones.

One other player the Cowboys signed that should help them improve is fourth-year linebacker Dan Connor (Carolina). Cowboys middle linebacker Sean Lee just totaled 105 tackles and four interceptions in his second NFL season.

Connor played on the same defense as Lee for two years (2006-07) at Penn State, which makes this signing even more logical.

Dallas filled its No. 1 need (Carr), signed a starter (Vickers) that should facilitate explosive plays out of the backfield and signed two other players (Orton, Connor) that could start if need be. And they didn't have to break the bank to do it.

Well done, Jerry Jones.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Although 2011 was a really bad look for Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers got a makeover during this free agency period.

Within hours of each other on March 14, wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left guard Carl Nicks both agreed to sign with the Buccaneers. Nicks is entering his fifth NFL season, while Jackson is entering his eighth. Both players are in their prime, and both players are playing on a new team for the first time.

Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections are nothing new to these players. There is no doubt Tampa Bay filled their needs with star players.

The only drawback I see is that these two players alone will count $25.5 million against the Buccaneers cap in 2012 (the two most expensive players on the roster). But that may be what it takes, considering how desperate Tampa Bay looked last season.

A less-heralded free agent that signed with the Buccaneers is cornerback Eric Wright. In 2011, Wright helped the Detroit Lions make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. Wright made 74 tackles, defended 16 passes and made four interceptions last year.

For a team that was potentially (and still may be) looking at drafting Morris Claiborne (cornerback, LSU), signing Wright gives them the opportunity to draft for another position. Or, the Buccaneers could still draft Claiborne, which would give them a strong cornerback tandem of Wright (27) and Claiborne (21) for years to come.

4. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers lost two offensive weapons to free agency (Jackson and Tolbert), but were able to replace those two players, while adding two more solid veterans as well.

Robert Meachem takes the place of Vincent Jackson in San Diego. Meachem will start, and is used to playing with a Pro Bowl quarterback in a pass-happy offense.

Due to the distribution of targets from Drew Brees, Meachem never caught more than 45 passes while playing in New Orleans. But from 2009-11, Meachem averaged 15.5 yards per reception.

Another receiver joining the Chargers is Eddie Royal (Denver). 2008 (rookie year) was Royal's best year, as he posted 91 receptions for 980 yards and five touchdowns. Since then, he's had to deal with some injuries, the Broncos drafting receivers to play in front of him and Tim Tebow's lack of passing accuracy.

Royal can also help the Chargers in the return game. In the last three years, Royal has returned one kick and two punts for touchdowns.

In 2011, the Chargers ranked 16th in overall defense (346.6 yards allowed per game) and 23rd in sacks (32). Bringing in Jarret Johnson from the Ravens should certainly improve those numbers.

Johnson is as durable and as tough as they come. From 2007-11, Johnson started every game at outside linebacker for the Ravens defense. In that time span, the Ravens defensive ranks were: sixth, second, third, 10th and third.

Sure, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata were huge parts of that success, but Johnson contributed to Baltimore's defensive dominance time and time again. He may not be in his prime, but Johnson has more than enough left to help San Diego match defense with offense.

Another former Raven that fills a void created this offseason is Le'Ron McClain. When Mike Tolbert signed with the Panthers, the Chargers wanted to fill that hole quickly. By signing McClain, they add that fullback/halfback hybrid who can block and carry the ball in goal line (and other) situations.

McClain spent last season with the Chiefs, and had to deal with a lot of distractions. But he's proven he can play at an All-Pro level.

In 2008, when McClain was selected to his first Pro Bowl and named a first-team All-Pro selection, he carried 232 times for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns. McClain also caught 19 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown that same year.

San Diego replaced their two offensive stars, added another versatile receiver/returner and signed a tough-nosed, veteran linebacker. Sounds good to me.

5. Denver Broncos

Denver scored the most prized free agent ever when they signed Peyton Manning on March 20. Since he entered the NFL in 1998 until 2010, Manning started in each of the 227 games the Colts played (playoffs included). His worst season was as a rookie, when he threw for 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns and 28 interceptions.

Manning's durability was one of his best strengths, until he missed all of 2011 due to neck problems. Even if Manning doesn't play to his standard (which I think he will), the Broncos can't be blamed for going after him.

As seen during his 13 seasons leading the Colts offense, Manning doesn't need exceptional offensive talent to succeed. He will make the offense better. Assuming Eric Decker is healthy and able to play alongside Demaryius Thomas, Manning should have enough talent around him to get the Broncos back to the playoffs.

Two recent free agent signings that will also help Denver's push to the playoffs are Tracy Porter (New Orleans) and Mike Adams (Cleveland). Porter teams up with Manning three years after he intercepted a Manning pass in Super Bowl XLIV and returned it 74 yards for a touchdown.

Porter is a good defensive back that will always compete. However, he's never played in more than 14 games in a season.

Safety Mike Adams (Cleveland) joins Porter in the Broncos backfield, after signing a two-year contract on March 16. In his last two seasons with the Browns, Adams recorded 109 tackles, 12 passes defensed, five interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble.

Entering his ninth season, Adams figures to be a strong veteran presence for second-year safeties Quinton Carter and Rahim Moore.

But the ultimate in veteran leadership will come from No. 18.

Tebow to Manning? I'd say that's the definition of drastic improvement.