Michael Sam: 'I should have been a third-round pick'

St Louis Rams defensive end Michael Sam believes that he should have been picked in at least the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

The 24-year-old became the first openly gay player in the NFL when the Rams selected him in the seventh round with the 249th pick.

Sam had a productive career in the college game for the Missouri Tigers where he notched 11.5 sacks and was named Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC.

"From last season alone, I should've been in the first three rounds. SEC Defensive Player of the Year, All-American," Sam told The AP.

"I knew I was going to get picked somewhere. Every team that passed me, I was thinking how I'm going to sack their quarterback."

The 24-year-old recorded 111 tackles, 18.5 sacks and two interceptions in his four years with the Tigers.