The NFL offseason is for getting better, and some teams just did it better than others this spring. Who made the most improvement during the past six months? Who got worse?
This ranking does not consider how good or bad a team actually is, but rather only how the roster changed since last season. Though the Patriots likely outrank the Bills in nearly everything else, Buffalo rates way higher than its division rival here because it has a much better roster than it did at the end of the 2018 season. The defending Super Bowl champions, meanwhile, did very little during the offseason and lost some important players.
Here is our ranking of how each NFL team improved -- or didn't -- during the 2019 offseason, based on votes from ESPN Insiders Kevin Seifert, Dan Graziano and Mike Clay. Considerations include free-agent signings, trade acquisitions, draft selections and even coaching changes.
1. Cleveland Browns
Big additions: WR Odell Beckham Jr., DE Olivier Vernon, DT Sheldon Richardson, RB Kareem Hunt
Key losses: OG Kevin Zeitler, S Jabrill Peppers, DE Emmanuel Ogbah
No team benefited more from the Giants' teardown than the Browns, who swapped Zeitler for Vernon, and then Peppers and picks for Beckham in the trade of the offseason. The Baker Mayfield-led offense should be stacked, especially once Hunt comes off his eight-game suspension. Don't underestimate the defensive line, where the Browns look as fearsome on paper as anyone. -- Graziano
2. Buffalo Bills
Big additions: C Mitch Morse, DT Ed Oliver, WR Cole Beasley, WR John Brown, OT Cody Ford
Key losses: DT Kyle Williams, TE Charles Clay
A host of new weapons and offensive line depth now surround quarterback Josh Allen, putting him in position for a big jump from his rookie season. And the Bills' defensive line, already one of the game's best, will be bolstered by Oliver's game-wrecking presence in the middle. -- Seifert
3. New York Jets
Big additions: RB Le'Veon Bell, LB C.J. Mosley, DT Quinnen Williams, WR Jamison Crowder
Key losses: CB Morris Claiborne, LB Darron Lee
It's hard to identify an area where the Jets didn't make a splashy move during the offseason, and that includes the front office (new general manager Joe Douglas) and coaching staff (new coach Adam Gase). The additions of Bell and Crowder, as well as guard Kelechi Osemele for protection, provide much-needed support around second-year quarterback Sam Darnold. Mosley and Williams join Leonard Williams, Avery Williamson, Jamal Adams, Trumaine Johnson and Marcus Maye to form one of the league's top young defenses. -- Clay
4. Arizona Cardinals
Big additions: QB Kyler Murray, DE Terrell Suggs, OT Marcus Gilbert, C J.R. Sweezy
Key losses: QB Josh Rosen, DE Markus Golden, S Deone Bucannon, OG Mike Iupati
Hiring Kliff Kingsbury to coach Murray in the style of offense he played in college may be the key move here, one way or the other. If Kingsbury and Murray can adapt to the NFL quickly, this offense -- with David Johnson at running back and its group of young receivers around Larry Fitzgerald -- could be a thrill to watch. Questions remain about whether the changes they made on the offensive line will be enough, though. -- Graziano
5. Green Bay Packers
Big additions: S Adrian Amos, S Darnell Savage Jr., LB Preston Smith, LB Za'Darius Smith, EDGE Rashan Gary
Key losses: LB Clay Matthews, LB Nick Perry, LB Jake Ryan, WR Randall Cobb, CB Bashaud Breeland
It has been a long time since the Packers so aggressively addressed the top end of their roster via free agency, but they accomplished a substantial one-year makeover of their defense. It's a bit curious that Davante Adams remains the only proven wide receiver on a team with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but Green Bay was clearly focused on defense this offseason. -- Seifert
6. Detroit Lions
Big additions: DE Trey Flowers, TE T.J. Hockenson, CB Justin Coleman
Key losses: DE Ezekiel Ansah, OG T.J. Lang, S Glover Quin
Detroit entered the offseason with several clear roster voids and did a nice job filling them. They addressed needs at edge rusher (Flowers), tight end (Hockenson and Jesse James) and cornerback (Coleman and Rashaan Melvin). Armed with an average overall roster that stands out in the trenches on both sides of the ball, coach Matt Patricia should be able to improve his team's 2018 win total (six) in his second season. -- Clay
7. Oakland Raiders
Big additions: WR Antonio Brown, OT Trent Brown, RB Josh Jacobs, DE Clelin Ferrell, S Johnathan Abram
Key losses: OG Kelechi Osemele, TE Jared Cook, OT Donald Penn, RB Marshawn Lynch
The Raiders' three first-round picks (Ferrell, Jacobs and Abram) all project to start and play major roles in Year 1, so a lot of this comes down to how quickly those guys get up to NFL game speed. Antonio Brown should quickly become quarterback Derek Carr's favorite player in the entire league as his new WR1. -- Graziano
Louis Riddick contends that the Raiders have the talent to turn it around this year as long as Jon Gruden puts all the pieces together.
8. Atlanta Falcons
Big additions: OG James Carpenter, OG Chris Lindstrom, OT Kaleb McGary, DE Adrian Clayborn
Key losses: RB Tevin Coleman, CB Robert Alford, CB Brian Poole, EDGE Bruce Irvin
The Falcons put an emphasis on improving quarterback Matt Ryan's protection, a year after he took the second-most sacks (42) in his career. It was a necessary step toward improvement. But did the Falcons do enough to restore a defense that allowed 26.4 points per game last season, eighth-most in the league? -- Seifert
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Big additions: QB Nick Foles, EDGE Josh Allen, WR Chris Conley, OT Jawaan Taylor
Key losses: DT Malik Jackson, QB Blake Bortles, S Tashaun Gipson
The Jaguars lost some serious talent during the offseason, and star linebacker Telvin Smith is expected to sit out the season, but the quarterback upgrade from Bortles to former Super Bowl MVP Foles is enough to land this team in the top 10 on this list. The offense is still a work in progress, but a Jaguars defense led by Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye remains one of the league's best. -- Clay
10. Carolina Panthers
Big additions: EDGE Brian Burns, C Matt Paradis, DT Gerald McCoy, WR Chris Hogan
Key losses: OT Matt Kalil, C Ryan Kalil
The addition of Hogan and the expected return of Torrey Smith from injury should allow Carolina to stretch the field a bit and make things easier for its Christian McCaffrey/DJ Moore workhorse types closer to the line of scrimmage. The Panthers believed Paradis was a critical signing for their offensive line, especially as they look to lean more on McCaffrey. But Cam Newton's return from shoulder surgery is the big story in Carolina. Even so, the Panthers deserve credit for the work they did to beef things up on the lines. Can rookie Greg Little win the starting left tackle job? -- Graziano
11. Denver Broncos
Big additions: QB Joe Flacco, QB Drew Lock, OT Ja'Wuan James, CB Bryce Callahan, TE Noah Fant, CB Kareem Jackson
Key losses: QB Case Keenum, C Matt Paradis, LB Brandon Marshall, CB Bradley Roby
The Broncos swapped out a young defensive-minded head coach (Vance Joseph) for an older one (Vic Fangio). They probably came out ahead in that exchange, but will Flacco give them any more than Keenum would have? Overall, the Broncos just seem to be treading water right now. -- Seifert
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Big additions: DT Malik Jackson, RB Jordan Howard, WR DeSean Jackson, LB Zach Brown
Key losses: DE Michael Bennett, LB Jordan Hicks, DE Chris Long, QB Nick Foles, DT Haloti Ngata
Eagles GM Howie Roseman is known as a salary-cap wizard, but what also stands out is his exceptional ability to identify and fill lineup voids. He did that again this offseason, landing vertical threat Jackson, revamping running back with Howard and rookie Miles Sanders, and replacing key defenders Bennett, Hicks and Long with Jackson, Brown and Vinny Curry. All that while adding offensive tackle Andre Dillard and receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside during the first and second rounds of April's draft. The Eagles are locked and loaded for another Super Bowl run. -- Clay
13. San Francisco 49ers
Big additions: DE Dee Ford, DE Nick Bosa, LB Kwon Alexander, RB Tevin Coleman
Key losses: WR Pierre Garcon
The 49ers have spent significant draft capital on their defensive line in recent years, and that game plan didn't change during the 2019 offseason. Additions Bosa and Ford supply the team with an astounding five former first-round picks along the line (DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas and Arik Armstead are the other three). Add Alexander at linebacker and Jason Verrett at corner, and the 49ers' defense has the potential to be one of the league's most improved units. With minimal losses and Jimmy Garoppolo back to full health, the 49ers should be closer to a .500 team in 2019. -- Clay
Trey Wingo says the 49ers have even more depth on their defensive line by trading for Dee Ford.
14. Dallas Cowboys
Big additions: DE Robert Quinn, WR Randall Cobb, TE Jason Witten
Key losses: WR Cole Beasley, DE Randy Gregory
Gregory's suspension and David Irving's retirement don't help matters on the defensive line, but neither was overly reliable to begin with, and the Cowboys always had to plan for the possibility of not having them. Veteran Quinn should be able to contribute in a rotational role, and Cobb replaces Beasley in the passing game. The return of Witten is worth watching. He's probably not going to be able to play as much as he once did, but it's not as if tight end was an overly productive position for the Cowboys last season anyway. -- Graziano
15. Indianapolis Colts
Big additions: DE Justin Houston, RB Spencer Ware, CB Rock Ya-Sin
Key losses: WR Dontrelle Inman
With one of the youngest and most promising rosters in the NFL, the Colts went 10-6 last season and clinched a playoff spot. A veteran defensive presence like Houston could be a big part of taking the next step, but the Colts will need him to stay healthy and available. For various reasons, Houston has missed 19 games over the past four seasons. -- Seifert
16. Washington Redskins
Big additions: QB Case Keenum, QB Dwayne Haskins, S Landon Collins, LB Montez Sweat
Key losses: WR Jamison Crowder, LB Preston Smith
The Collins signing both strengthened the Redskins' defense and weakened that of a division opponent, the Giants. But for the immediate future, at least, the Redskins have no better than broken even at quarterback. At best, they're in for a transition year. -- Seifert
17. Houston Texans
Big additions: OT Matt Kalil, S Tashaun Gipson, CB Bradley Roby, OT Tytus Howard
Key losses: S Tyrann Mathieu, CB Kareem Jackson
After getting pushed around on their home field in a playoff loss to the Colts and their monster offensive line, the Texans had the prime example of what they needed to do to improve. But did they? They could end up starting two rookie tackles if Howard and second-rounder Max Scharping win the jobs. Houston has a still-strong defense, stars at quarterback and wide receiver, and a proven coaching staff, but the offensive line remains the Texans' biggest problem area. And we can't be sure they did enough to fix it this offseason. -- Graziano
18. Minnesota Vikings
Big additions: C Garrett Bradbury, OG Josh Kline
Key losses: DT Sheldon Richardson, S Andrew Sendejo, RB Latavius Murray
Minnesota's offseason was rather uneventful, but it's easy to make a case that the team is slightly worse on paper with impact defensive starters Richardson and Sendejo gone and not truly replaced. The defense remains strong with the likes of Harrison Smith, Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr still in place. Bradbury and Kline figure to play major roles on an offensive line that has been the Achilles' heel for this team for several seasons. -- Clay
19. New Orleans Saints
Big additions: TE Jared Cook, C Erik McCoy, RB Latavius Murray
Key losses: RB Mark Ingram, C Max Unger
The Saints have been on the cusp of the Super Bowl two years in a row, and their roster didn't need much work this offseason. But there are some questions. Can they get enough from their wide receiver group around Michael Thomas? And if not, is the Cook addition enough to offset that? Can Murray and Javorius Allen replace what Ingram did for them in tandem with Alvin Kamara, or does the run game have to look different? And can rookie McCoy slide in for the retired Unger at center? -- Graziano
20. Cincinnati Bengals
Big additions: OG John Miller
Key losses: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, TE Tyler Kroft, LB Vontaze Burfict
New coach Zac Taylor is in the unenviable position of lifting up a franchise that, on paper, hasn't done much to improve itself over a 6-10 record from last season. Or a 7-9 record in 2017. Or 6-9-1 the year before that. -- Seifert
21. Baltimore Ravens
Big additions: S Earl Thomas, RB Mark Ingram, WR Marquise Brown
Key losses: LB C.J. Mosley, S Eric Weddle, EDGE Terrell Suggs, LB Za'Darius Smith, QB Joe Flacco
Baltimore should feel fortunate to be this high on the list after losing the defense's No. 1, 2, 5 and 7 snap-getters from 2018. Thomas (who has missed 19 games over the past three seasons) could be a huge addition, but he doesn't come close to offsetting the losses of Mosley, Weddle, Suggs, Smith and Brent Urban. The Ravens' 2019 prospects will depend greatly on the progress of Lamar Jackson and how Brown and Ingram contribute. -- Clay
22. Chicago Bears
Big additions: RB David Montgomery, RB Mike Davis, S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Key losses: S Adrian Amos, CB Bryce Callahan, RB Jordan Howard
Dropping Montgomery and Davis into a run game that already featured the electric Tarik Cohen will add layers to what coach Matt Nagy and the Bears' offense can do this year. It should be fun to watch, especially as the receiver group develops around Mitchell Trubisky. But the reason the Bears were as great as they were last year was Fangio's lockdown defense. Can new coordinator Chuck Pagano keep that train rolling, especially with the losses they suffered in the secondary? -- Graziano
23. Kansas City Chiefs
Big additions: S Tyrann Mathieu, DE Frank Clark, DE Alex Okafor, DE Emmanuel Ogbah, RB Carlos Hyde
Key losses: EDGE Justin Houston, DE Dee Ford, C Mitch Morse, S Eric Berry, CB Steven Nelson
The big new names on the Chiefs' roster in many ways balance out the big names that left it. The net result? The Chiefs remain a strong team, but don't have an appreciably better roster than the one that advanced to last season's AFC Championship Game. -- Seifert
24. Tennessee Titans
Big additions: EDGE Cameron Wake, OG Rodger Saffold, WR Adam Humphries
Key losses: LB Derrick Morgan, LB Brian Orakpo, OG Quinton Spain, OG Josh Kline
Despite constant quarterback headaches, Tennessee has managed to stay competitive during the Marcus Mariota era thanks to a strong defense and a stable offensive line. Both units initially took a hit during the offseason, but the team upgraded at left guard with Saffold and signed Wake to team up with 2018 second-round pick Harold Landry in place of Morgan and retired Orakpo. Ryan Tannehill supplies the team with a capable backup behind injury-plagued Mariota. -- Clay
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Big additions: LB Devin White, DT Ndamukong Suh, LB Deone Bucannon
Key losses: DT Gerald McCoy, LB Kwon Alexander, WR Adam Humphries
Suh-for-McCoy was a financially driven decision, so it remains to be seen whether it's an upgrade. Rookie first-rounder White could be the key here on a defense that's reconstructing under new coordinator Todd Bowles. On offense, it's tough to lose Humphries, who played a key role, but they have depth at receiver and are counting on more from second-year running back Ronald Jones as new head coach Bruce Arians works to get the most out of Jameis Winston's critical fifth season. -- Graziano
26. Los Angeles Chargers
Big additions: LB Thomas Davis, DT Jerry Tillery
Key losses: WR Tyrell Williams, S Jahleel Addae
When two of your top three additions are a backup quarterback (Tyrod Taylor) and a first-round draft pick (Tillery), it's difficult to make an argument for significant improvement. The return of tight end Hunter Henry, who missed 2018 because of an ACL tear, will help. And the loss of Williams, one of the league's most efficient deep threats, will hurt. -- Seifert
27. Los Angeles Rams
Big additions: S Eric Weddle, LB Clay Matthews
Key losses: DT Ndamukong Suh, S Lamarcus Joyner, OG Rodger Saffold, C John Sullivan, LB Mark Barron
The defending NFC champions took hits on both sides of the ball during the offseason. Weddle is a strong Joyner replacement, but Suh is a big loss after the 32-year-old played exceptional ball on more than 1,000 snaps (including the playoffs) last season. Los Angeles' offensive line has been a strength, but there are big question marks in the interior with youngsters Brian Allen, Joseph Noteboom and Bobby Evans competing to replace longtime starters Saffold and Sullivan. The Rams are still loaded, though not quite as good as last season. -- Clay
28. New York Giants
Big additions: WR Golden Tate, OG Kevin Zeitler, S Jabrill Peppers, CB Deandre Baker
Key losses: WR Odell Beckham Jr., DE Olivier Vernon, S Landon Collins
The Giants are going to build around second-year running back Saquon Barkley, so adding Zeitler to the offensive line was a key move. Trading Beckham is going to make the offense far less explosive, and Tate is a receiver a bit too similar to the ones they already have. Baker is the most likely of the Giants' three first-round picks to make an immediate impact, as they spent their first two on quarterback Daniel Jones (whom they'd like to sit on the bench for the year) and DT Dexter Lawrence, who isn't likely much of a helper for a sorely depleted pass rush. -- Graziano
The NFL Live crew breaks down the biggest question marks for the Giants, Jets and Steelers.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
Big additions: CB Steven Nelson, WR Donte Moncrief, LB Mark Barron, LB Devin Bush
Key losses: RB Le'Veon Bell, WR Antonio Brown
The Steelers once thought they would ride the trio of Bell, Brown and Ben Roethlisberger to multiple championships. Now two of them are gone. There is hope that receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner can provide nearly the same production with less disruption, but that might be asking a lot. -- Seifert
30. New England Patriots
Big additions: DE Michael Bennett, TE Benjamin Watson, LB Jamie Collins, WR N'Keal Harry
Key losses: TE Rob Gronkowski, DE Trey Flowers, OT Trent Brown, DT Malcom Brown, WR Chris Hogan
New England always seems to come out of the other side just fine, but there's no doubt this roster took a hit. Gronkowski (arguably the best tight end the NFL has ever seen), Brown (stellar as the team's 2018 left tackle) and Hogan (paced Patriots wide receivers in snaps in 2018) are gone and set to be replaced by a player who initially retired this offseason and is suspended four games (Watson), and a pair of youngsters who have never played an NFL down (Isaiah Wynn, Harry). Bennett and Collins help ease some of the sting of losing Flowers and Brown. But Tom Brady will have a bit more on his shoulders during his age-42 campaign. -- Clay
31. Seattle Seahawks
Big additions: DE Ezekiel Ansah, OG Mike Iupati, DE L.J. Collier
Key losses: DE Frank Clark, S Earl Thomas, RB Mike Davis, WR Doug Baldwin
An exercise like this isn't fair to the Seahawks (or the Patriots), as they are a proven draft-and-develop franchise that believes in its ability to find solutions from within. The toughest loss to replace will be Clark, who was traded to Kansas City because the Seahawks couldn't do a long-term deal with him. Seattle believes it has enough young wide receivers who can step in to fill the Baldwin void, and it played without Thomas for almost all of last year anyway. -- Graziano
32. Miami Dolphins
Big additions: QB Josh Rosen, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, DT Christian Wilkins, TE Dwayne Allen
Key losses: OT Ja'Wuan James, EDGE Cameron Wake, DE Robert Quinn, QB Ryan Tannehill
It's no secret that the Dolphins are in the midst of a rebuild, so the mass offseason departures (the above list is only partial) were hardly a surprise. Miami's new-look front office and coaching staff will hope Rosen is an improvement over Tannehill and perhaps the future of the franchise. The Dolphins' roster is in rough shape for the short term, but youngsters like Wilkins, Xavien Howard, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Charles Harris, Mike Gesicki and Michael Deiter provide some hope for 2020 and beyond. -- Clay