It may only be July (coming into August) but each and every team is already looking to their 2022 seasons and beyond. It's the nature of the rugby league beast.

Nothing can turn around a team's fortunes as quickly as an aggressive, successful recruitment drive.

In reverse, nothing can stunt a team's forward momentum, or even send them backwards, like losing a string of important players without bringing in replacements.

This season we saw a number of big name players off contract. Unfortunately we've also seen players released due to a variety of reasons.

Teams have been busy shaping their rosters for next year on both the signing and re-signing side of things. We take a look at the five teams who had lead the way... to date:

3. Brisbane Broncos

Now we enter the first of the big signers in the Broncos. Unlike the two teams above them they absolutely needed to aggressively enter the market to improve.

Quickly on the re-signing side of the equation they have tied down Thomas Flegler, Jordan Riki and the big prize Kotoni Staggs to new deals. Staggs is expected to move into the six meaning he's a marquee re-signing.

In terms of what they lost, unfortunately Tevita Pangai Junior, Reece Walsh and Matt Lodge have left the club, but for a side seeking a culture shift and cap re-balance, only the Walsh news hurts.

Moving to what has them number three here though is three very clever signings and one that although yet to be confirmed is also worthy of this list.

Adam Reynolds was chased heavily by the Sharks but chose to pledge his future to the Broncos. His signing is arguably the marquee signing of 2022 and completely re-shapes their attack.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Adam Reynolds of the Rabbitohs passes during the round 23 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on August 16, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kurt Capewell is a genius signing. An Origin quality star who can slot straight into their starting side and immediately improve them.

Brenko Lee played Origin in 2020 and will replace Staggs in the centres after his move into the halves. Jordan Pereira's expected signing will replace Xavier Coates on the wing.

The Broncos still have plenty of work to do but they've added three Origin players and the lynchpin in their future in Adam Reynolds.