The Las Vegas Raiders selected wide receiver Tre Tucker from the University of Cincinnati with the 100th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
The Silver and Black would select quarterback Aidan O'Connell out of Purdue University, only 35 picks later, and the two have connected ever since.
"Tre's an awesome guy," O'Connell said. "He's a great player. From our first week together, I remember talking to him about the routes we're trying to learn and different concepts and stuff, and our heads were definitely spinning a little bit."
While grateful for the connection, Las Vegas probably didn't think the two rookies would share the field together so soon in their NFL careers.
O'Connell says he and Tucker helped each other adapt to life in the National Football League.
"I think when you come in with somebody, and we've been through a lot together, rookie minicamp, first and foremost, and then everything from there, OTAs, training camp, and into the season," O'Connell said. "I think we're experiencing a lot of the same things for the first time, and I think that gives you a special connection with somebody."
Their early connection off the field has started to equal results on the field. O'Connell says he was happy to see Tucker's hard work in private start to pay off on game days.
"Yeah, super happy for him," O'Connell said. "I think it's been a long time coming. I'm sure he would have wished it would have happened earlier, but I think he's going to score a lot of touchdowns in this league.
"And so, it was awesome to see him succeed on the big stage like that. He deserves it. He studies, works on his body, does everything right. So, it was really cool to see. It's been fun to see his development and his growth. He works super hard, and it's rewarding for him."
After his two-touchdown performance on Thursday Night Football, O'Connell says Tucker's natural talent is turning heads.
"I think, obviously, he's a threat every time he's on the field," O'Connell said. "Everybody knows about the speed. It's no secret. And so, we try to utilize him as much as we can. He's a really good player. He's a smart player, instinctive, and just naturally really blessed. So, it's fun to watch him. I wish I could run like that. But yeah, he's been a dynamic player for us."
The emergence of Tucker makes the Raiders' wide receiver room one of the deepest in the NFL. Tucker's speed and ability to get behind defenses' coverage make him a valuable threat to an already talented roster on offense for the Raiders.
The Silver and Black will return to action versus their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Don't miss it on Monday, December 25, at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST.
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