After a down year offensively, Sean McVay decided to hire an offensive coordinator for his coaching staff. He landed on 34-year-old Kevin O’Connell, formerly of the Washington Redskins. He was the offensive coordinator and play caller at the end of the 2019 season and previously served as the quarterbacks coach on Jay Gruden’s staff.
O’Connell will have an impact on the offensive game plan, even if he doesn’t call the plays. He can also help the Rams lure players in free agency who he has connections to.
Here are six players with ties to O’Connell who may interest the Rams in free agency.
OG Brandon Scherff
Unless the Redskins re-sign him before March, Scherff will be one of the best offensive linemen available in free agency. He not only has ties to O’Connell, having played for him for the last three years, but also to Sean McVay, who was with the Redskins during Scherff’s first two seasons.
The Rams have a clear need at guard with Austin Blythe being a free agent and Joseph Noteboom potentially moving to left tackle from guard. Scherff is going to break the bank and become one of the top-paid guards in the NFL, so he might be out of the Rams’ price range.
RB Chris Thompson
When McVay was hired in 2017, he hoped Lance Dunbar could become the Rams’ version of Thompson. Now, McVay has a chance to get Thompson himself. O’Connell worked with him for the last three years and while injuries limited him, he’s one of the better receiving backs out there and if the Rams move on from Malcolm Brown or Todd Gurley, he’d be a nice addition to the backfield.
His age and injury history are a concern, but he shouldn’t cost too much to sign if the Rams want him.
OL Ereck Flowers
It’s easy to laugh at the idea of signing Flowers based on his track record in the NFL as a bust with the Giants, but he actually played well in 2019 at guard. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned a respectable 64.2 overall grade and only allowed two sacks all season.
Flowers could compete at guard with the likes of Austin Corbett, David Edwards and Noteboom, if he stays inside. The Rams need as many options at guard as they can get this offseason, and Flowers would be an affordable free agent, even if it’s just on a one-year deal.
QBs Case Keenum and Colt McCoy
Blake Bortles is a free agent this offseason and John Wolford may not be ready to take over as Jared Goff’s backup. As a result, the Rams could be in the market for a quarterback this offseason and both Keenum and McCoy have ties to O’Connell.
They’d be worth looking at this offseason as replacements for Bortles, bringing a veteran presence to the quarterback room, too. That could prove valuable for Wolford as he continues to develop. If Goff were to get hurt, Keenum and McCoy would be capable fill-ins in McVay’s offense.
WR Josh Doctson
Doctson’s tenure with the Redskins was a bust, spending three years in Washington. He caught 81 passes for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, but he fell out of favor and was released in August. The Rams don’t have a need at wide receiver, but Brandin Cooks isn’t certain to be back with the team in 2020.
Doctson could be a candidate for a one-year deal that’s incentive-laden, given his injury history and minimal impact thus far in the NFL. His ability to win 50-50 balls can be helpful for Goff and the Rams offense, especially in the red zone.
