NFL Power Rankings: Teams That Made Biggest Improvements This Offseason

The 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone, and free agency has mostly slowed to a halt. Essentially, what you currently see in your favorite team's roster is what you're going to get for the start of training camp in late summer. 

Several teams, however, used the draft and free agency to make big jumps in talent level on their respective rosters. Given that most of the big additions to teams have been made, we can start sorting out how the 32 franchises stack up as we approach the summer.

Here's our post-draft/free agency power rankings, highlighting teams that have made the biggest improvements this offseason:

1. New York Giants (2011: 9-7)

The defending Super Bowl champions added two skill position players that will contribute next season in running back David Wilson and receiver Rueben Randle, and Jayron Hosley should see snaps at cornerback after Aaron Ross left in free agency.

2. New England Patriots (13-3)

The secondary didn't get a big lift, but New England hit on every other need. Several free agents solidify the receiver position, and Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower bring pressure potential in the front seven. 

3. Green Bay Packers (15-1)

Jeff Saturday and Tony Hargrove were two of the bigger free-agent signings that GM Ted Thompson has made recently, but the Packers are banking on draft picks Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy and Casey Hayward to shore up the NFL's No. 32 ranked defense. 

4. Houston Texans (10-6)

Losing Eric Winston and Mario Williams in free agency hurts, but Houston went heavy on the offensive line in the draft and also took Whitney Mercilus to help provide pressure off the edge.

5. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Taking Courtney Upshaw in the second round looks even smarter than it did on draft day when Terrell Suggs went down with a potential season-ending Achilles injury.

6. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

Few teams made as many moves on the offensive side of the ball as the 49ers pulled off this offseason. My worry is that San Francisco is trying to be a team it's not, but the players added to help out Alex Smith and company are an impressive bunch. 

Bringing in Mario Manningham, Randy Moss and first-rounder A.J. Jenkins instantly improves the depth at receiver, and the 49ers now have the game's best stable of backs after adding Brandon Jacobs and LaMichael James to Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. 

If San Francisco takes a step forward on offense, this may be the best team in the NFC.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

David DeCastro and Mike Adams could be two building blocks for the Steelers offensive line. 

8. Detroit Lions (10-6)

The secondary still has some concerns, but the Lions have continued to build an offense that will give the reigning division champion Packers all they can handle in 2012.

9. Chicago Bears (8-8)

Too high for the Bears, who are coming off an eight-win season? Hardly.

Reuniting Brandon Marshall with Jay Cutler may eventually look like the offseason's best move, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's 80 connections and 12 touchdowns between the two. 

The draft was also kind to Chicago, as top picks Shea McClellin and Alshon Jeffery will each be leaned on heavily in big roles next season. If those two picks are hits during their rookie season, the Bears could push for the NFC North crown. 

10. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

The Bills paid a lot of money to a defensive end coming off a season-ending injury, but Mario Williams adds a punch in the pass-rusher that Buffalo absolutely needed. Mark Anderson is another guy who could push for 10 or more sacks playing opposite Williams. 

First-rounder Stephon Gilmore gives the Bills a Charles Woodson-type cornerback, and there's no doubt that pick was made with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in mind. Cordy Glenn, who Buffalo took in the second round, could be a instant starter.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

Did any team get more value out of the draft than Mike Brown and the Cincinnati Bengals?

12. Denver Broncos (8-8)

Peyton Manning obviously makes all the difference for a team that somehow cracked the playoff picture in 2011.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

The Eagles always seem to be big offseason winners. With all the talent on board, 2012 needs to be a season that Andy Reid makes it all work once the team is actually on the field.

14. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

After blowout losses in each of their last two playoff games, Matt Ryan and Mike Smith need to find a way to rebound next season.

15. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

Adding Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr should help the Cowboys overcome their 4th quarter troubles defending the pass.

16. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Drew Brees will always give this team a chance, but Bountygate has devastated this franchise.

17. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

The Seahawks took a first-round gamble on Bruce Irvin, but the offseason addition that needs to make his mark is quarterback Matt Flynn. Seattle is probably playoff-bound with good quarterback play next season.

18. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

GM A.J. Smith got two of the best values in the draft in Melvin Ingram and Kendall Reyes. 

19. Carolina Panthers (6-10)

Linebacker Luke Kuechly is a smart and safe pick, but Cam Newton's transition into year two as the starting quarterback will decide Carolina's 2012 season.

20. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

If Jake Locker wins the job in Tennessee, he'll have two nice options to target in Kenny Britt and Kendall Wright.

21. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

Dontari Poe may not have the same impact in year one as guard Jeff Allen, who the Chiefs took in the second round. 

22. New York Jets (8-8)

The NFL's media circus resides in New York with the Ryan, Sanchez and Tebow Show. 

23. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

Kevin Kolb now has Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald to throw to in 2012, which means there is no more excuses for the quarterback in his second year in Arizona.

24. Washington Redskins (5-11)

Trading up to get Robert Griffin III is a franchise-altering move. If he has a Cam Newton-like impact in his rookie season, the Redskins could make a big jump. 

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

On paper, few teams improved as much as the Buccaneers did this offseason.

Vincent Jackson, Carl Nicks and Eric Wright gave Tampa Bay the biggest free-agent haul, and top draft picks Mark Barron, Doug Martin and Lavonte David are all expected to be day one starters. 

If the Bucs hit on all six players, four wins in 2011 could turn into double digits next season. 

26. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

Given his knowledge of Mike Sherman's playbook from his time at Texas A&M, first-rounder Ryan Tannehill will make it difficult to keep him on the bench. 

27. Oakland Raiders (8-8)

GM Reggie McKenzie will need a year or two to get his roster in the shape he wants it. A couple of down years could be an after-effect. 

28. St. Louis Rams (2-14)

The Rams need a big improvement from Sam Bradford next season, but just getting Jeff Fisher to run the show should signal a positive change in St. Louis. 

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

Blaine Gabbert got the weapon he needed in Justin Blackmon. Now he has to prove he belongs as an NFL starting quarterback. 

30. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

Year one with Andrew Luck might not equal a big jump in wins, but the Colts have done all the things needed for this franchise to steadily improve after Peyton Manning's departure. 

31. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden and Mitchell Schwartz filled big holes with the Browns' first three picks, but this roster still has a ways to go. 

32. Minnesota Vikings (3-13)

Matt Kalil and Harrison Smith are day one starters at positions that really struggled for the Vikings last season.