Striding downfield, Maurice Hurst felt nothing but the cool December air at his back, as he cradled the first interception of his career with his eyes set on the North End Zone of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
Hurst's near pick-six against the Tennessee Titans last season was the icing on an impressive sophomore season, in which the former fifth-round pick appeared to be putting all the elements of his game together, despite starting in fewer games.
Entering the third year of his career, expectations are mounting for Hurst and his fellow 2018 Draft classmate Arden Key, but the coaching staff believes with health and talented veterans around them, the duo are equipped to turn a corner.
"The one thing with Arden and Maurice is, they came in here and they didn't really have anybody to look at from a veteran's perspective to say, 'Hey, this is how you are supposed to do it. This is how you're supposed to prepare. This is the technique,'" defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Thursday. "And so, those guys got thrown into the fire right away without having the ability of somebody in front of them like Maliek [Collins] to show them the way."
The Raiders selected Hurst and Key during the 2018 NFL Draft to make them difference-makers for the team in crucial situations; however, they've been unable to find a groove because of inconsistency.
Their rookie season, Key played 62 percent of the defensive snaps, while Hurst played 61 percent. In Year Two, Hurst's snap percentage dwindled by 11 percent, playing in half of the defense's snaps all season, and the injury-plagued Key failed to suit up in more than half the team's games due to a nagging foot injury.
After adding weight last offseason, Key tried to adjust to his new size but became sidelined early in the year. Rejuvenated, Guenther believes Hurst and Key are where they need to be physically and mentally to thrive in 2020.
"I just think he's got his weight where he needs to have it," he said. "He's a lot quicker. He wasn't playing bad before he got hurt last year. He just got hurt early in the season. So, I just think he came in, he understands this is his third year and he's not satisfied with what he's done so far. I'm glad he's got a chip on his shoulder and we're looking for big things from him. So, hopefully, he is going to have a big year this year."
"He's in his third year and he's excited to come back," he added. "He's in good shape. He's done some good things here for us, and again, he's picking the ear of Maliek, so having him around to show him how it's really done."
All offseason, we've heard about how much defensive line coach Rod Marinelli is going to mold the Raiders' young d-line and there's reason to believe Hurst and Key will benefit the most. The duo is readjusting to their third coach in three years, but Marinelli is the cream of the crop. For 47 years, Marinelli has been grooming some of the best defensive linemen to play the game and he recognizes the talent in Hurst and Key.
"I've really enjoyed working with them a lot," he said after practice Thursday. "They got good talent, they got good movement and just keep getting them locked in and the consistency of how we do things every second of every day. Consistency. When you get to consistency, you start building mental toughness. So, that's the thing I'm looking for. I think they got the skill, the work to improve our skills. So far, so good, but I believe in them and they're working hard."
For the first time in years, the Raiders have loaded depth at nearly every position defensively, so Hurst and Key won't be asked to step outside their realm of responsibility in 2020, allowing them to hone in on what they do best.
General Manager Mike Mayock and Head Coach Jon Gruden are demanding a lot from them this season, but according to their defensive coaches, we could see a breakout.
View photos from another day of practice at Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center during 2020 Training Camp.

A Las Vegas Raiders helmet on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Jordan Roos (60) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders fullback Alec Ingold (45) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

The Las Vegas Raiders defense on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44), cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) take the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Isaiah Johnson (31) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Bryce Hager (54) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and safety Erik Harris (25) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kyle Wilber (58) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeff Heath (38) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (91) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kamaal Seymour (63) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight ends coach Frank Smith and tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Devontae Booker (34) and running backs coach Kirby Wilson on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Rod Smith (36) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Nick Bowers (49) and running backs coach Kirby Wilson on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) and guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Richie Incognito (64) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jason Witten (82) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Jalen Richard (30) and tight ends coach Frank Smith on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) and guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Sam Young (70) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Trayvon Mullen (27) and wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and tight end Darren Waller (83) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33), safety Dallin Leavitt (32) and safety Jeff Heath (38) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Datone Jones (95) and running back Jalen Richard (30) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Lynn Bowden Jr. (33) and quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders guard John Simpson (76) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Gabe Jackson (66) and linebacker Tanner Muse (55) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and fullback Alec Ingold (45) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (90) and center Rodney Hudson (61) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst (73) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kendal Vickers (78) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) and defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (91) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Doss (18) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Tanner Muse (55) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cory Littleton (42) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and running back Josh Jacobs (28) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Andre James (68) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El (17) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Keisean Nixon (22) and wide receiver Zay Jones (12) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman (3) on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.

The Las Vegas Raiders huddle on the field for practice at 2020 Training Camp.