[Editor's Note: For the month of April leading up to the draft, Bud Light will be sponsoring the NFL blogs here at SB Nation. Each day, we'll count down the top 10 Bill Belichick era Patriots "busts" and "booms" in the NFL draft." -Greg
Belichick-Era Patriots Top 10 Busts #5
Name: Kevin O'Connell
College: San Diego State
Drafted: 3rd round, 94th overall, 2008 Position:Quarterback Years with Team: 1+ Where is he now? New York Jets 3rd string quarterback Comments: When Kevin O'Connell was drafted in the third round of the 2008 draft, it was a surprise to many. He was regarded as a high risk/high reward potential who had tremendous size and athleticism (6-5/250, 4.6), and the ability to make all of the throws. While he was never intended to be the successor to Tom Brady, most experts raved about the pick as they felt he was tremendous value. Most felt the Patriots would be able to turn him around for a second or first round pick in just a few years. Unfortunately, for unspecified reasons, it just never worked out. While he showed some flashes in the preseason, O'Connell was inconsistent at best, and wound up being beat out for the #2 spot in 2009 by undrafted rookie free agent Brian Hoyer. O'Connell never even came close to returning the investment the Patriots made when they drafted him in the 3rd round. Verdict: definitely a bust.
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