The Green Bay Packers knew heading into the offseason that they needed to attack a few of their needs. They didn't waste any time doing so by signing three free agents who address positions of need.

During the legal tampering period, the Packers have come to terms with Adrian Amos, Za'Darius Smith, and Preston Smith. All three guys vastly improve a defense that ranked 18th in the NFL in 2018.

The Packers traded Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in 2018, making the free safety position an absolute need this offseason. Green Bay found that in Amos, who has terrorized the Packers twice a year with the Chicago Bears since 2015.

The Packers were expecting to lose Clay Matthews and Nick Perry this offseason. Adding edge rushers topped their lists of needs rather quickly.

But just like that, the Packers were in a position to sign both Smith's. Both guys come with a ton of potential in Mike Pettine's defense.

Za'Darius had a career year in 2018, where he had 8.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He will improve a Packers defense that was eighth in sacks in 2018.

Preston Smith has been inconsistent in his career but has been stuck on the Washington Redskins. Playing for a winning organization like Green Bay could elevate his game further.

Preston has 24.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles in his four seasons in the NFL. In addition, all three guys that were signed are 26 years old or younger.

Can the addition of these three guys vault the Packers in the discussion of top defenses? It could definitely happen with what they have to work with now.

They are adding three talented players to a defense that—despite injuries—played decently in 2018. The Packers young cornerback tandem of Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson showed tons of promise. Adding Amos to the backend of the secondary improves it drastically. The Packers were 12th against the pass in 2018 and it wouldn't be surprising to see them in the top five in 2019.

Again, the Packers were able to get to the opposing quarterback quite a bit in 2018. Adding both the Smith's just upgrades an already talented front seven on the defense.

The Packers defense already boasts a defensive line that includes Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels. It's uncertain if the Packers are able to retain Muhammad Wilkerson but he would just further improve the defense.

If the Packers want to achieve the status of a top five defense, they will need to improve on stopping the run. In 2018, they ranked 22nd in the NFL.

The good news is, both of the Smith's are capable of rushing the quarterback while also being serviceable at slowing down the run. Amos isn't afraid to get his uniform dirty either when it comes to playing the run.

The new tandem of head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst didn't waste time to take a new approach to free agency. For years, the Packers usually just stuck to filling their needs through the draft.

Obviously, when you have Aaron Rodgers under center, you don't need much around him. Their offense includes Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, Jimmy Graham, and a plethora of other young receivers.

Signing defense was always going to be the focus this offseason. Don't be surprised if the Packers new signees provide fruitful results, making them a top-five defense in the NFL in 2019.