Those who have been covering the Raiders specifically — such as myself — aren’t the only ones who see a big jump in Las Vegas. The national outlets have taken notice as well. Today ESPN’s Ben Solak put the Raiders at the top of the list of the NFL’s most improved teams.

No team made bigger strides at the two most important positions than the Raiders. Geno Smith is multiple tiers better than Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell, which should provide weekly above-average quarterback play. Pete Carroll is multiple tiers better at head coach than Antonio Pierce, who struggled with in-game and locker room management. Those changes alone should massively raise the Raiders’ floor, and the presence of potential offensive stars such as Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty elevate the ceiling.

I expect the Raiders to be around .500 this season, so long as they endure the defensive departures.

No notes from me for Solak.

There are no more pressing boxes to check in football than the quarterback and head coach. And no more pressing needs the Raiders had than those two positions. And it goes back farther than just last season. The previous season with the combination of Josh McDamiels and Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t exactly a winner either.

In my recent game-by-game analysis of the Raiders season, I have them hovering around .500 which would be a four-to-five-game improvement from last season.

They should be able to weather most of the defensive losses. The one that sticks with me that I think will hurt them is the loss of Nate Hobbs. They haven’t replaced the standout nickel corner and that could bite them a few times this season.