Dan Pompei

Now that the draft is history and most of the moving parts in free agency have settled, we can accurately assess the teams that have had the most impressive offseasons.

Here are teams that made the most improvement on paper.

1. Vikings
No team spent more than the Vikings, and no team added more proven talent. Defensive end Jared Allen was the best player who changed teams in the offseason, and he should give the Vikings the premier defensive line in football.

Free-agent wide receiver pickup Bernard Berrian might not live up to his salary, but he'll give the Vikings offense an element of pizzazz it had been lacking. Berrian was the best wide receiver to change teams, and his signing hurt the Vikings' rivals in the NFC North, the Bears, as much as it helped the Vikings. The Vikings also upgraded the back half of their defense with free-agent safety Madieu Williams and second-round draft pick Tyrell Johnson. Williams was the best free-agent safety and some ranked Johnson as the top-rated safety in the draft.

And perhaps most importantly, the Vikings also fortified themselves at quarterback by signing underrated free agent Gus Frerotte. The only big question this team has is under center, and if Tarvaris Jackson isn't ready, perhaps Frerotte can bail him out.

2. Jets
They didn't draft Darren McFadden, but they did improve the run game by surrounding Thomas Jones with a lot of solid complementary players, starting with guard Alan Faneca. He was the crown jewel of offensive linemen in free agency. The Jets also added tackle Damien Woody, tight end Bubba Franks and fullback Tony Richardson, all of whom should make the holes wider for Jones. Second-round pick Dustin Keller will give the Jets a weapon in the passing game that few teams have. And the pass rush should be improved by Vernon Gholston, the fifth pick in the draft.

3. Browns
This is going to look like a different defensive front with big Corey Williams and bigger Shaun Rogers lining up in the facemasks of offensive linemen. Those were two solid acquisitions by general manager Phil Savage. Donte Stallworth should help the offense, though his history suggests we shouldn't expect too much from the former Saints, Eagles and Patriots wide receiver.

4. Dolphins

Special feature Biggest draft busts Check out the major mistakes NFL teams have made in the draft. NBCSports.com

OK, so they aren't going to win the Super Bowl. The Dolphins have taken small steps and solidified their roster in many areas. Most importantly, they have acquired players who fit Bill Parcells' schemes. Among them: OT Jake Long and DEs Phillip Merling and Kendall Langford from the draft, and G Justin Smiley, LB Reggie Torbor, WR Ernest Wilford, TE Anthony Fasano and LB Akin Ayodele from the veteran pool. The Dolphins also have taken steps to give them options at the quarterback position, signing free agent Josh McCown and drafting Chad Henne to compete with John Beck.

5. 49ers
They addressed two areas of weakness — wide receiver and the defensive line. At receiver, the 49ers picked up veteran Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. Neither is expected to be a Pro Bowler, but both are upgrades from what the 49ers had last year. On defense, Justin Smith and Kentwan Balmer should give the Niners more muscle against the run.

6. Panthers
The running game should be much better with Jeff Otah and Keydrick Vincent clearing the way for Jonathan Stewart. Muhsin Muhammad will help with downfield blocking, too. The Panthers also added wide receiver D.J. Hackett and linebacker Landon Johnson, two solid vets.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

New York mayor rolls out red carpet for Favre Favre a Packer on 'Madden' cover, a Jet inside   Olbermann and Patrick on the Favre trade Curran: Favre in Big Apple? Let the fun begin! Expert: At 38, does Favre have anything left? Opinion: History says Favre trade won't work for Jets   Packer fans angry about losing their hero   Eagles, Westbrook agree on terms of new deal Delhomme ready for first game after elbow surgery All Madden: Latest from NBC Sports football analyst NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: