I agree, he's not a LT or RT. But it is hard to tell if everyone is playing better. For example, we chew the clock at the LOS, run the ball a lot, and don't pass much. We do seem to have improved in the running game quite a bit, and at times we have had plenty of time to throw but just don't pull the trigger. Props to the OL coach and the running scheme (which is also different this year) and the play calling (also different and steadier).
Last year, the OL was very, very bad in the running game when we got involved in Big Ten play. Pass blocking was horrible all year. Casey Thompson was making reads & decisions where to throw the ball and getting rid of it within 3-4 seconds (NFL rate is 2.7 to 4). And yet the pocket would get collapsed before that. And Casey got slammed to the turf. The O-line could not consistently hold a 4 man rush to allow time for our QB to read and throw, and it made everything difficult (for QB and for WRs/TEs to get to their spots) and we had no choice but to take sacks.
I am still iffy on Raiola. I kind of think we are okay at times, but still see struggling at the LOS in run game and pass pro. Benhart has improved. Scott is a transfer. NN has split some snaps with Lutovsky. Piper has whiffed a lot. Corcoran gets beat on pass pro and doesn't help in the running game much. So maybe it's not all on Raiola, but more on the squad on the field, who happen to be the biggest and most experienced vets out there. Next year we will know for sure, and DR will be back here again.