2017 NFL Free Agency: The 5 Most/Least Improved Teams So Far

Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after warm ups before Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks off the field after warm ups before Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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This time of year was never going to be the make-or-break time for teams hoping to win the Super Bowl next February.

At the same time doing well in 2017 NFL free agency would make life a lot easier when the serious push begins to the improve the roster for a run. Problem is not every team enjoys the luxury of “winning” free agency. If anything the experts insist there is no such thing. Spending the most money or acquiring the most players doesn’t automatically guarantee a championship. It almost never has.

The best thing that a person can determine is how much a given team improved “on paper.” That is to say they acquired certain players who seem to fit their scheme without losing too much the other way. Thus they clearly got better. Or the other way. They failed to gain any ground with new players and lost several key guys along the way.

There is still a long ways to go. Free agency can be a fluid process that is infused with unexpected new talent. Even so, with the main waves past it’s time to evaluate the current state of the NFL and determine which teams took a step forward and those who fell behind. Be prepared for a few surprises and plenty of debate along the way.