NFL Free Agents 2012: Most Improved Teams Thus Far

Several teams have significantly improved themselves this offseason, and as we approach the 2012 NFL Draft those squads need to be recognized.

Here are the four teams whose moves have stood out the most over the beginning of the offseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After a 4-12 season the Bucs needed to do something big this offseason. Well they did, stealing headlines as free agency opened. 

Tampa Bay signed the top receiver on the market, Vincent Jackson, to a five-year, $55.55 million contract ($26 million guaranteed). If that wasn't enough, the Bucs then grabbed the best offensive lineman available in guard Carl Nicks. They gave the massive interior lineman a five-year, $47.5 million contract ($31 million guaranteed). 

The Bucs then went out on a limb and signed cornerback Eric Wright to a five-year, $37.5 million contract. Wright is decent but probably not worth that kind of money. Still, the Bucs made a bold statement by throwing a ton of money around and making a serious push to get better.

Considering that Tampa has the No. 5 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the team should be able to get even better quickly. 

San Diego Chargers

With the way they opened free agency—by losing Jackson to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—things didn't look good for the Bolts. Then general manager A.J. Smith went to work quickly and plugged a ton of the team's holes.

The Bolts quickly signed receiver Robert Meachem to a four-year, $25.9 million deal ($14 million guaranteed). Then San Diego re-signed left tackle Jared Gaither to a four-year, $24.6 million deal, before adding long-time Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Jarret Johnson to give the team's defense a hard-nosed edge. 

With fullback/running back Le'Ron McClain and Johnson now on board, the Chargers have added much-needed leadership on both sides of the ball.

Late in free agency, Smith is still working hard. Nose tackle Antonio Garay re-signed, while Eddie Royal and Roscoe Parish were inked to be versatile receivers who can add some much-needed speed to the slot.

Denver Broncos 

The Broncos landed the big fish in free agency, snagging quarterback Peyton Manning after a prolonged chase. Manning didn't come cheap, but more than any other player available he will make the players around him much better.

Denver added cornerback Tracy Porter on a one-year, $4 million deal, which was cheap for a guy who can step in and start opposite Champ Bailey immediately. Tight end Jacob Tamme was also added, and Manning is familiar with him for his time with the Indianapolis Colts. He will play out of the slot and should make an impact early in the Mile High City.

Tamme wasn't the only tight end signed, as Joel Dreessen will help things as well after coming over from the Houston Texans. Adding safety Mike Adams and receiver Andre Caldwell on the cheap will certainly help. 

Denver did a lot to get better after reaching the playoffs last year. Having the motivation to go out and improve was impressive. The Broncos didn't rest on their laurels and should be commended for not doing so.

Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills made one of the biggest splashes of free agency when they signed defensive end Mario Williams to a massive, six-year, $96 million deal. They then went out and signed fellow defensive end Mark Anderson to a four-year, $27.5 million contract. Those two moves will give the Bills one of the league's best defensive line.

The Bills also signed their most important in-house free agent when they gave receiver Stevie Johnson a five-year, $36.25 million deal. 

With Johnson, Williams and Anderson locked in long-term it will give the Bills a solid nucleus to build on. Williams can absolutely dominate games, and Johnson is turning into one of the NFL's most consistent receivers. Both guys will be the face of the organization moving forward and Bills fans should be excited about that prospect.

Honorable mention: San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams