With most NFL teams in the thick of their OTAs, it is time to take a look at the five best off-seasons so far. The uncapped year has provided the teams with a chance to invest more and the number of trades has gone up compared to other offseasons.

Big names like Donovan McNabb, Anquan Boldin and Santonio Holmes have been shipped to new teams. Star-free agents like Julius Peppers, Karlos Dansby and Aaron Kampman will suit up for new when the regular season starts in September.

Many teams have put their hopes – and money – in draft-selections who have to prove their value in the league. Coaches have changed teams or jobs and will make an impact in their new positions.

Let’s look at the five teams that have done the best job so far:

Honorable Mention

Miami Dolphins:
The Dolphins acquired the best free agent linebacker Karlos Dansby through free agency. They also landed Brandon Marshall for two second rounders. They drafted Koa Misi with their second round pick and filled a big need at LB. They lost Jason Taylor in free agency – he signed with the Jets – and Misi will have huge shoes to fill.

Kansas City Chiefs:
The Chiefs signed running back Thomas Jones to fill a need in the backfield. While he is getting older, he should be their feature back in 2010. He had some great games with the Jets last season – including 210 yards in Week 6 loss to Buffalo – but slowed down at the end of the season and especially in the playoffs. The Chiefs added another running back – Dexter McCluster – in the draft which will allow them to give Jones the rest he needs. They improved their secondary by drafting safety Eric Berry

Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks rolled the dice with Pete Carroll and so far it seems like it’s panning out. Their draft was incredible. They landed Russel Okung at 6, added a great safety in Earl Thomas at 14. Golden Tate was great value at 60, and he should be able to help the team immediately. The only reason I didn’t put them in my top five is that Carroll still needs to prove he can win as a head coach in the NFL. I’m also not sure Hasselback is the right way to go, and I’m not sure Whitehurst or Losman will ever be game-changing QBs either.
Top 5

5. Chicago Bears
The Bears had a great offseason despite having only five picks in the draft. They gave up their first two selections in the trades for Jay Cutler and the late Gaines Adams. The Bears made the best out of their picks and ended up doing great in the draft. They selected free safety Major Wright out of Florida with the 75th pick. Many experts had Wright going in round two. They added Defensive End Corey Wootton at 109, who – if it wasn’t for a knee injury in his junior year – could have been a first rounder. The Bears made a splash in free agency picking up DE Julius peppers, RB Chester Taylor and TE Brandon Manumaleuna. If Cutler can keep his game together, the Bears could have a great season.
 
4. Detroit Lions:
The Lions made good use of their #2 overall pick. They picked up DT Ndamukong Suh and improved their defensive line substantially. Vanden Bosch and Suh will form a scary duo. Jahvid Best is a great value pick at 30 and the Lions needed a running back. Amari Spievey (pick 66) will be a great No. 2 corner. The Lions acquired their new No. 1 corner back, Chris Houston, in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons. Although – as a Falcons fan – I have seen Houston get called for pass interference due to his inability to turn his head for the ball a few too many times, Houston will improve the Lions’ pass defense. The Lions added some talent on offense too when they traded for TE Tony Scheffler. With their overhaul in the front office and coaching staff last year and this year’s offseason acquisitions, the Lions are definitely headed in the right direction.

3. Oakland Raiders
No, we didn’t accidentally switch to the 5 worst offseasons in the NFL. Yes, the Raiders made our Top 5 list. Yes, Al Davis still runs their draft. And no, he didn’t solely go for speed this time. Davis and the Raiders They filled some needs and got good value in the majority of their picks. They needed a tackle to protect newly acquired quarterback Jason Campbell and they got two in the draft. Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell will ensure that the Raiders’ new-signal won’t find himself on his back too many times. The most important thing in the Raiders offseason? They finally cut ties with bust-of-the-millennium JaMarcus Russell. They realized that they needed to cut their losses and gave Russell the boot. They re-signed Richard Seymour, an important piece of their defense. Their first rounder – Rolando McClain – was a bit of a reach and didn’t fill any needs, but the linebacker out Alabama should make an impact on the Raiders’ defense.

2.  Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens gave their third-year starter Joe Flacco some shiny new toys. The biggest acquisition is Anquan Boldin, who will give the Ravens’ receiving corps an immediate boost. Along with Boldin, wide receiver David Reed and tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta will improve Baltimore’s passing game significantly. DE/OLB Sergio Kindle offers amazing value at 43. His knee problems could be a concern, but if he stays healthy, he will be and great addition to the Ravens’ defense. The Ravens re-signed Derrick Mason, who is getting older at 36, but will face lesser CBs with the opposing defense’s focus on Boldin. The Ravens kept the core of a very successful season together and filled their biggest needs.

1. New York Jets
The Jets offseason will allow them a serious run at the title this season. Owner Woody Johnson opened his wallet and gave second-year head coach Rex Ryan some great new tools to work with. The Jets have been the major player in this offseason. They signed Jason Taylor to give them more help in their already terrifying pass rush. They traded for Santonio Holmes to compliment Braylon Edwards and improve their receiving corps. They drafted Boise State cornerback and returner Kyle Wilson and traded for Antonio Cromartie to give them an insane secondary. Ryan, who already disrupted opposing offenses with blitz packages, can rush even more players knowing that he has a shut-down defensive backfield. Running back Shonn Greene, who had a couple of great games in the playoffs, forms one half of a strong running back duo with LaDainian Tomlinson. The Jets did cut two big names too. Alan Faneca and Thomas Jones won’t be part of the 2010 team, but in my opinion the Jets had the best offseason in the NFL so far.