ESPN Names Raiders One Of Three Most Improved Teams In The NFL

Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders were one of the worst teams in the NFL, finishing at just 4-13. Even though Antonio Pierce kept the team playing hard throughout the season despite the results, the franchise ultimately decided to move on from both him and GM Tom Telesco, replacing them with Pete Carroll and John Spytek, respectively.

Additionally, the Raiders also made some significant personnel changes, most notably trading for quarterback Geno Smith and signing him to a contract extension. The Raiders also drafted Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty to bolster the run game.

All of these changes have this Raiders team looking to be much better in 2025, and ESPN’s Ben Solak agrees. The NFL analyst named the Raiders one of the three most improved teams in the league for this coming season:

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.

There is no doubt that having the right coach and quarterback are non-negotiables for being a good team in the NFL, and the Raiders made a giant leap, especially at quarterback. Smith might not be at the top of the elite class of quarterbacks, but he is an above-average starter, which is much better than what the team has had in the last couple of seasons.

Jeanty and Brock Bowers will power the offense, and while the defense did take some losses, they do still have Maxx Crosby leading the way, and he will be extra motivated after an injury-filled 2024. Whether they can make a playoff run remains to be seen, but the Raiders certainly have the pieces to be far more formidable in 2025.

Questions remain about Raiders DT Christian Wilkins’ recovery from injury

As Solak noted, the Raiders still have some things to figure out on defense, and one player who could help them massively is defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who missed most of last season due to a Jones fracture in his left foot.

However, questions remain about his recovery, as Wilkins should have been healed from the injury but has still been seen wearing a walking boot. His ability to wreak havoc up front would do wonders for the Raiders’ defense, but if he still isn’t healthy, there are some valid concerns about what is going on.