Five NFL defenses that improved the most after free agency and the draft

As the NFL transitions from the draft to OTAs, plenty of teams came out of the early part of the offseason with a better roster than they ended with last year.

Now that the dust has settled on (most of) the free-agent frenzy and one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memory, here is a look at five teams that improved their defense the most this offseason:

Chicago Bears

Additions: Gervon Dexter, DT; Zacch Pickens, DT; DeMarcus Walker, DE; Tremaine Edmunds, LB; T.J. Edwards, LB; Noah Sewell, LB; Tyrique Stevenson, CB

The Bears had the fewest sacks in the NFL last season (20), and the team really struggled to generate much pressure on opposing quarterbacks (162 pressures, 114 hurries). But adding Walker — who had 32 pressures, 16 hurries, seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss in Tennessee — gives Chicago a solid one-two punch coming off the edge opposite Trevis Gipson. Dexter (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) and Pickens (6-foot-4, 291 pounds) add size to plug up the middle next to Justin Jones, while Edmunds, Edwards and Sewell fortify a strong group of linebackers.

Detroit Lions

Additions: Brodric Martin, DT; Jack Campbell, LB; Cam Sutton, CB; Emmanuel Moseley, CB; C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S; Brian Branch, S

Sutton and Moseley are two strong cover corners and instant upgrades over the Lions cornerbacks from last year. Gardner-Johnson tied for the league lead with six interceptions last year, and he could easily put up another Pro Bowl-caliber season with Branch, who was a steal in the second round of the draft, learning behind him and Kerby Joseph. There’s no reason why Detroit should have the third-worst passing defense in 2023. Campbell adds some extra grit to a LB group that already has Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez.

Philadelphia Eagles

Additions: Jalen Carter, DT; Kentavius Street, DL; Nolan Smith, OLB; Kelee Ringo, CB; Greedy Williams, CB; Terrell Edmunds, S; Sydney Brown, S

It’s might seem strange saying the Eagles defense improved after losing Edwards, Gardner-Johnson, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety Marcus Epps and linebacker Kyzir White, but landing Smith at 30th overall could go down as the steal of the first round while grabbing Carter at pick No. 9 was just a case of the rich getting richer. The Eagles front seven got younger, faster and maybe even stronger after the draft, while adding Edmunds and Brown in the secondary at least helps offset losing Gardner-Johnson and Epps, and Ringo is in a great position to play and learn behind Pro Bowlers James Bradberry and Darius Slay.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Additions: Larry Ogunjobi, DT; Keanu Benton, DT; Cole Holcomb, LB; Nick Herbig, OLB; Patrick Peterson, CB; Joey Porter Jr., CB; Cory Trice, CB; Keanu Neal, S

Losing Sutton was a big blow to Pittsburgh’s secondary, but the Steelers could perhaps be even better in 2023 with combination of Peterson and Porter Jr. in the defensive backfield. Peterson is still playing at a Pro Bowl level despite being 32, and Porter Jr. had 11 passes defensed at Penn State last year. Benton is a big-bodied tackle who can plug up running lanes and command double teams, and Ogunjobi is just a year removed from a seven-sack, 12-tackle-for-loss season. The duo could wreak havoc in the front seven working in a rotation with All-Pro lineman Cameron Hayward.

Seattle Seahawks

Additions: Jarran Reed, DT; Dre'Mont Jones, DT; Cameron Young, DT; Mike Morris, DE; Bobby Wagner, LB; Devin Bush, LB; Derick Hall, LB; Devon Witherspoon, CB

Between Tariq Woolen, Quandre Diggs, Michael Jackson and Ryan Neal, the Seahawks had one of the better secondaries in the league last year. And after adding Witherspoon, the consensus No. 1 cornerback in the 2023 draft who had three interceptions and 14 passes defensed at Illinois in 2022, Seattle should have no problem shutting down opposing receivers. Reed, Jones, Young and Morris all add size and run-stopping ability along the defensive line, and Wagner, who has 11 straight seasons with 100 or more tackles and is a nine-time All-Pro, Bush and Hall should instantly boost a linebacker group that lost Cody Barton and his 136 tackles to the Washington Commanders.