He is a former third-round pick at QB
O’Connell is a former quarterback, himself. He came into the NFL as a third-round pick by the Patriots in 2008, which at the time was the earliest the Patriots had drafted a quarterback since Tom Brady took over.
O’Connell only played two games in his career, never making a single start. He bounced around the league for a few years, but his only game action came in 2008 with New England. He completed 4 of 6 passes for 23 yards and one first down.
Coincidentally, he’s the second former Patriots draftee to join the Rams’ staff, along with Zac Robinson last year.