Most Improved Defenses of the 2015 NFL Offseason

An improved defense can make all the difference in the NFL from year to year. 

Just look at the Detroit Lions, who won 11 games after jumping 12 spots to No. 3 in scoring defense last season. Or at the Buffalo Bills, whose defensive improvement from No. 20 to No. 4 in points allowed helped create a nine-win season in 2014. The Houston Texans also won nine games after soaring 17 spots to No. 7 in scoring defense.

Several franchises have attempted to follow the blueprint for 2015. 

In the following slides, we'll look at the most improved defenses of the 2015 offseason. If things go according to plan, a handful of these clubs will enjoy a significant rise up the defensive rankings—while also likely improving in the win column—next season.

Honorable Mention

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Washington Redskins 

Only the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders allowed more points than Washington last season, so improvement wasn't going to be hard to achieve this offseason. New general manager Scot McCloughan sought to make his defense more physical, and he's largely succeeded by bringing in Stephen Paea, Terrance Knighton and Ricky Jean-Francois along the defensive line and snagging Jeron Johnson and Dashon Goldson at safety.

The one question mark is in replacing top pass-rusher Brian Orakpo, but Washington did use a second-round pick on outside linebacker Preston Smith to help fill the void. 

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys needed pass rush more than any other legitimate contender in the NFL, so risks were taken in both free agency and the draft to address the issue. Both veteran Greg Hardy and rookie Randy Gregory have red flags, but they both also have serious ability to get after the quarterback. Bringing back versatile and volatile linebacker Rolando McClain, as well as drafting a potential stud cornerback in Byron Jones were also important decisions for defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli's unit. 

New Orleans Saints

The Saints were aggressive in remaking their unit after ranking 28th in scoring defense a season ago. Defensive end Anthony Spencer, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and cornerback Brandon Browner give New Orleans veteran help at every level, while the draft brought a tackle machine in Stephone Anthony and one of the college game's best sack artists in Hau'oli Kikaha. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

Signing defensive tackle Jared Odrick was a strong move for the interior of the Jacksonville defense, and new cornerback Davon House looks like an emerging player in the new mold at the position. The Jaguars would likely have their own slide had No. 3 overall pick Dante Fowler not torn his ACL on the first day of rookie camp. Rookie safety James Sample might be a diamond in the rough. 

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee found new starters at edge-rusher (Brian Orakpo), safety (Da'Norris Searcy) and cornerback (Perrish Cox) in free agency. All three need to have a real impact for last season's 29th ranked scoring defense. Hiring Dick LeBeau can't hurt, right?

New York Jets

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The Jets finished sixth in yards allowed but a distant 24th in scoring defense a season ago. The sizable gap had ties in New York's inability to stop the pass (opponents threw for 31 touchdowns in 2014) and force turnovers (13 takeaways ranked last in NFL). 

Consider the problems addressed. 

The Jets attacked the defensive side of the ball this offseason, hiring a new head coach and using both free agency and the draft to supply the new staff with necessary upgrades. 

After firing Rex Ryan, New York selected former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles—who led Arizona to back-to-back top-10 finishes in scoring defense the past two seasons—to fill the head coach job.

New general manager Mike Maccagnan then went to work on the defensive roster, re-signing linebacker David Harris, signing cornerbacks Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine, safety Marcus Gilchrist and three veteran linebackers, and using the No. 6 overall pick on USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams. 

In summation: The Jets hired one of the hottest defensive assistants in the game, signed arguably the best cornerback in the NFL and drafted the player many believed to be the best defensive option available. And the talent in place—especially along the line—was already strong. 

Few teams can match New York's talent in the defensive front and secondary. Bowles' aggressive style should tie all the pieces together. It now wouldn't be shocking if the Jets finished in the top five for scoring defense in 2015.

Minnesota Vikings

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Mike Zimmer needed just two offseasons to create what should be a top-10 defense in Minnesota for 2015 and beyond. 

Call it Defensive Rebuilding 101. 

Back in January 2014, the former Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator inherited an old, regressing defense fresh off allowing the most points in the NFL the season prior. He's since used the last year-and-a-half to remake the unit, utilizing both free agency and the draft to fill in the holes while also developing the young talent already on the roster. 

Last spring, Zimmer and the Vikings added cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and nose tackle Linval Joseph in free agency before drafting attacking linebacker Anthony Barr. Minnesota has been equally as active in 2015, signing former Bengals Terence Newman and Taylor Mays for depth and using top picks on cornerback Trae Waynes and linebacker Eric Kendricks. 

Throw in Zimmer's help in developing the likes of Sharrif Floyd, Harrison Smith, Everson Griffen and Xavier Rhodes, and the Vikings have a strong case for possessing the most young talent on defense in the NFL. 

Minnesota finished last season ranked No. 11 in scoring defense. Expect Zimmer and his young gang on defense to start scratching elite levels in 2015.

Miami Dolphins

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Miami lost veterans such as Jared Odrick, Cortland Finnegan, Randy Starks, Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler at various points this offseason, but those subtractions were mostly negated by landing All-Pro and mega free agent Ndamukong Suh.

One of the game's most disruptive interior defenders, Suh now joins a defensive line featuring edge terrors Cameron Wake and Olivier Vernon. Add second-round pick Jordan Phillips, and Miami might be home to the game's most difficult-to-handle front four. 

In a best-case scenario, Suh's arrival gives Miami the ammunition to pull off a Lions-like surge in 2015—with the Dolphins' defensive line powering a top-five defense. Even if reality plays out differently, it's hard to envision Miami not vastly improving its finish as the 20th ranked scoring defense in 2014.

Chicago Bears

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A franchise with a rich history of defense finally said enough was enough. Allowing more points than any team in the NFL over the last two seasons demanded change, and change is exactly what the Bears have provided. 

The 2015 season should now be a brighter one in Chicago. Re-hauling the coaching staff, transitioning schemes and upgrading the talent pool give the league's laughingstock on defense a glimmer of hope. 

Gone are the offensive-minded Marc Trestman and overmatched Mel Tucker, replaced by the defensive-minded John Fox and highly respected Vic Fangio. Chicago's 4-3 look is also hitting the road, as Fangio plans to implement his 3-4 base with a group of veteran acquisitions that includes outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, defensive end Ray McDonald, linebacker Mason Foster and safety Antrel Rolle. The Bears also drafted Florida State's Eddie Goldman to man the nose. 

Fango can't be expected to work miracles in Year 1, especially with so many of the holdover pieces in Chicago needing to make transitions to a foreign scheme. But with a better talent base and a coordinator capable of maximizing the talent he's given, it's almost certain the Bears will make a significant climb in the defensive rankings in 2015. 

Atlanta Falcons

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The Falcons did very little right on defense in 2014. 

Atlanta ranked 27th in yards allowed, 30th in sacks and 32nd in points, passing yards, first downs, rushing touchdowns and passing yards per attempt. Last season featured a number of poor defenses, but the Falcons had a legitimate argument for being the worst.

As expected, this offseason has been centered around improving that side of the ball. 

The first order of business: hiring Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach. He will bring immediate respectability to a defense that demanded little of it in recent years. 

The unit also needed talent upgrades. The Falcons were spenders in free agency, signing defensive end Adrian Clayborn and linebackers Brooks Reed, Justin Durant and O'Brien Schofield. The draft brought more help, as Atlanta picked Clemson pass-rusher Vic Beasley in the first round and LSU cornerback Jalen Collins in the second. In the fifth, the Falcons snagged Clemson defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.  

The rebuild in Atlanta will be a process requiring time. But hiring Quinn and adding a mix of veteran and rookie talent to the roster is a good start. The Falcons shouldn't get run over again in 2015. 

Philadelphia Eagles

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The Eagles' big moves on offense have dominated the headlines, but it's the potential improvement on defense that likely holds the cards for Philadelphia's 2015 season. 

A unit that ranked 22nd in points allowed a season ago has made some big changes. 

Philadelphia dealt LeSean McCoy to the Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso, who—if healthy—has the potential to be the ideal modern inside linebacker. The Eagles also re-signed emerging pass-rusher Brandon Graham and signed cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Walter Thurmond. In the draft, Philly took cornerback Eric Rowe and linebacker Jordan Hicks.

The Eagles now look deeper in the secondary and more talented at linebacker. If Philadelphia can make significant progress in keeping opponents off the scoreboard, this is probably a playoff team. 

Cleveland Browns

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The Browns actually ranked ninth in the NFL in scoring defense a year ago, so room for noticeable improvement is much smaller than for other teams on this list. However, Cleveland made it hard not to notice the latest upgrades. 

In free agency, the Browns defense added some beef to the line in veteran end Randy Starks and a dependable perimeter cover man in longtime Packer Tramon Williams. Both are expected to start. 

The draft was also a source of talent upgrades. Cleveland used its first pick on nose tackle Danny Shelton, who should combine with Phil Taylor to give the Browns two massive anchors on the inside. The second round brought outside linebacker Nate Orchard, while the third allowed Cleveland to land more help up front in tackle Xavier Cooper. 

There now exists no obvious hole in the Browns defense. A top-10 unit from a year ago will be expected to make another jump in 2015.