NFL Power Rankings: Teams Rising with Solid Offseasons

With the NFL draft behind us, it's time to start looking towards the 2012 season and ranking teams based on how they improved their rosters during the offseason.

My NFL power rankings for the 2012 season are now out, and in this edition, I focus on the teams that are currently on the rise. The following three franchises improved themselves the most through free agency and the draft this offseason.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers had an awful time last season, struggling to a 4-12 record and losing their final 10 games of the season. Gone is head coach Raheem Morris, replaced by former Rutgers head man Greg Schiano. 

Obviously something had to change in Tampa Bay, and the team went about making some big noise this offseason. First, they landed a legitimate No. 1 receiver by signing Vincent Jackson. Then they scored the best offensive lineman on the market by bringing in Pro Bowler Carl Nicks. They also added cornerback Eric Wright and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye to the defense.

During the 2012 NFL draft, the Bucs added Alabama safety Mark Barron with the No. 7 pick before trading up to grab Boise State running back Dough Martin at No. 31. Barron and Martin will both be significant upgrades at those positions. Tampa Bay also added Nebraska playmaking outside linebacker Lavonte David in the second round.

Tampa Bay had a lot of needs to address, and they did a great job by bringing in a ton of talent to their roster this offseason.

San Diego Chargers

Facing the possibility of losing his job, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith went to work this offseason and completely transformed his roster. He did it by targeting versatile players who also bring toughness and leadership.

After losing Vincent Jackson to the Bucs, Smith quickly signed speedy wideout Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal to replace him. He later brought in Roscoe Parrish to give the receiving corps even more versatility. 

Then, he inked rugged, hard-nosed outside linebacker Jarret Johnson to a four-year contract. Johnson is the kind of guy who will add an edge to a defense that has sorely lacked it over the past two seasons. 

Smith also brought in former Pro Bowl fullback Le'Ron McClain to help improve the running game, and third-year back Ryan Mathews should immediately improve thanks to his presence. 

In the draft, the Chargers got absolute steals with South Carolina linebacker Marvin Ingram (at No. 18) and Connecticut defensive lineman Kendall Reyes (No. 49), and also nabbed LSU safety Brandon Taylor in the third round. All three players should start and make an immediate impact on the team. All three were also leaders and outstanding citizens at their respective schools. 

San Diego improved a ton by not only filling the holes on its roster, but also by bringing in high-character guys who will work hard and provide leadership. That is something the Bolts just haven't had over the past two years.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh reached the playoffs last season with a 12-4 record, but don't let that fool you; the team had major issues. But because of salary cap issues, the Steelers had to rely on the draft to get things done this offseason. And they absolutely nailed it.

In the first two rounds of the draft, Pittsburgh got absolute steals when it landed Stanford guard David DeCastro and Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams. DeCastro will be one of the NFL's best guards the moment he steps on the field, while Adams has the raw talent to turn into a franchise-caliber tackle.

With James Farrior gone this offseason, the Steelers had to add a linebacker, and in the third round, they snagged Miami's Sean Spence. Spence was one of the most underrated players in the 2012 draft class. He is a heady, instinctive player who should be a perfect fit for Pittsburgh's defense.

And in one of the best steals of the 2012 draft, the Steelers landed Washington nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu in the fourth round. I had Ta'amu with a second-round grade, so the fact that Pittsburgh got him so late was a miracle. Ta'amu now can sit behind the aging Casey Hampton and learn how to play the position from one of the best guys to ever man the spot. Hampton is sure to retire soon, and when he does, Ta'amu can step right in.

The Steelers improved themselves up front on both sides of the ball, which will make them even more dangerous than they already were.

NFL Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers (15-1)

2. New England Patriots (13-3)

3. New York Giants (9-7)

4. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

5. Houston Texans (10-6)

6. Philadelphia Eagles (8-8)

7. San Francisco 49ers (13-3)

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

9. San Diego Chargers (8-8)

10. Detroit Lions (10-6)

11. Atlanta Falcons (10-6)

12. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

13. Denver Broncos (8-8)

14. Chicago Bears (8-8)

15. Cincinnati Bengals (9-7)

16. New York Jets (8-8)

17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8)

18. Kansas City Chiefs (7-9)

19. Tennessee Titans (9-7)

20. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

21. Carolina Panthers (6-10)

22. Buffalo Bills (6-10)

23. Seattle Seahawks (7-9)

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-12)

25. Miami Dolphins (6-10)

26. Oakland Raiders (8-8)

27. Washington Redskins (5-11)

28. St. Louis Rams (2-14)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

30. Minnesota Vikings (4-12)

31. Indianapolis Colts (2-14)

32. Cleveland Browns (4-12)

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