5 Most Improved Teams Ahead of 2022 Season

It’s been an offseason like no other. Blockbuster deals, endless big-name trades and plenty of roster changes across the NFL, with many teams looking to have improved on last year.

As we begin to prepare for the new season, it’s becoming clearer who the winners and losers are of the past couple of months.

In this article, we identify the most improved teams based on their new, incoming talent and their outlook compared to their results in 2021. Spoiler alert, it’s about to get a lot more competitive in the AFC!

Honourable mentions: Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars

5. Los Angeles Chargers

We start with one of three AFC West teams to make this list. The Chargers have been busy this offseason, making plenty of big signings, most notably on defense. They got a steal taking Khalil Mack from the Bears for just a second-round and a sixth-round pick, and paired with Joey Bosa is a worst nightmare for opposition QBs.

The interior defensive line has also seen an upgrade, with the talented Sebastian Joseph-Day making the short trip from the Rams to the Chargers this summer. And with the outstanding playmaker corner J.C. Jackson signing a huge deal during free agency, this defense is now one of the most stacked in the entire NFL.

On the other side of the ball. Tying down Mike Williams was a huge plus to this offensive, while drafting Boston College’s Zion Johnson gives LA an excellent right side of their O-Line.

All-in-all, it’s done to the Chargers to deliver this year. Justin Herbert is getting better and better, so how far can he take the Chargers in 2022? We can’t wait to see.

4. New York Jets

The huge winners of the 2022 NFL Draft, the New York Jets are well primed heading into the new season.

GM Joe Douglas is working wonders in assembling a young, exciting team. With picks like Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall, the Jets are definitely one to watch in the future.

Elsewhere, Gang Green posted a very successful free agency. Pro Bowl offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson is a brilliant addition, while the secondary signings of safety Jordan Whitehead and corner D.J. Reed are hugely underrated acquisitions.

Quarterback Zach Wilson is a good position going into year two. A solid offensive line and now plenty of targets to aim at.

There is still a long way to go, the lack of top tier experience in this team means it’ll take some time before the Jets are competing. But with a successful 2022, Wilson can push the Jets on to competing with the best in the AFC very soon.

3. Denver Broncos

It can take just one superstar trade to transform the prospects of a franchise. And that’s what has happened in Denver this year.

With the Broncos trading for Russell Wilson, they’ve automatically put themselves in the mix as a contender in the AFC. Going from a combination of Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater to Wilson represents a huge upgrade, but they’ve also built up around the roster. The additions of Randy Gregory, K’Waun Williams and the return of Billy Turner make the Broncos a more competitive outfit, while Nik Bonitto is a brilliant draft addition at outside linebacker.

The Broncos are the first of three teams on this list with a new coach. Former Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett is an impressive offensive mind and coupled with Wilson, the Broncos can improve on a poor 2021 going forward with the football.

All in all, it is set to be a good year in Denver.

2. Las Vegas Raiders

It’s been a rollercoaster of a couple of years for the Raiders. A new home and plenty of controversy have marred their success recently. But things are looking a lot brighter in Las Vegas ahead of the 2022 season.

The blockbuster trade for Davante Adams sent shockwaves across the NFL this year, and the 5x Pro Bowler will line up alongside his former college teammate Derek Carr in Las Vegas. With Carr himself tying down his future with the Raiders until 2025, the Raiders will continue to get premium quarterback play this season.

Everywhere else, the Raiders seem to have improved. They’ve replaced Yannick Ngakoue’s presence on the edge with Chandler Jones, brought in exciting corner Rock Ya-Sin and added wideout depth with Demarcus Robinson and Keelan Cole.

Like the rest of the AFC West, the Raiders are in win now mode and they finally look to be heading in the right direction.

1. Miami Dolphins

There have been too many occasions when the Miami Dolphins fail to reach the high expectations set on them after a successful offseason.

But 2022 feels different. They have a brilliant football brain at the helm in new head coach in Mike McDaniel. He’ll do everything to get the best out of Tua Tagovailoa. With the huge deal to sign Tyreek Hill, defensive coordinators across the league will be wary of the new threat from the Dolphins going forward.

Elsewhere, Miami’s disastrous offensive line has seen a huge upgrade, with the signing of an elite offensive tackle in Terron Armstead and young guard Connor Williams. And like LaFluer for the 49ers, McDaniel will utilise a pack of running backs, with new faces Raheem Mostert, Chase Edmonds and Sony Michel coming in to transform the ground game in Miami.

Can they return to the playoffs this year? With the offensive changes they’ve made, they’ll be in with a very good chance.

They need to back this up when football returns, but the Dolphins are well set for a successful future.