The New England Patriots will be uniquely prepared for the 2023 NFL Draft based on a key offseason addition they made to their coaching staff.

It’s not unusual after New England hires a new coach for a slew of his former players to eventually come along and join the Patriots as free-agent or trade additions. But new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien was hired away after two seasons with the same title at Alabama. So, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Patriots lean on O’Brien and draft even more Alabama prospects than usual in the next few years.

"It's a huge, huge resource for us having coach O'Brien come from the program he's come from and the conference he's come from,” Patriots director of player personnel Matt Groh told Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. “His exposure to players, not only at his school but also in his conference. He knows how they viewed those players and how they attacked them, so that's a big help to us on the college side."

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has typically leaned on advice from college coaches which is one reason why New England drafted so many players from Rutgers in Greg Schiano’s first tenure there as head coach. Having a former college coach like O’Brien on staff should be even more influential.

The Patriots also should be better prepared to face the players O’Brien coached and coached against in the NFL based on his experience in the SEC. Alabama edge defender Will Anderson, quarterback Bryce Young, defensive back Brian Branch and running back Jahmyr Gibbs are all listed in Daniel Jeremiah’s Top 50 prospects list on NFL.com.

Ultimately, it’s a small part of O’Brien’s responsibilities in New England. He’s with the Patriots to reshape an offense that desperately needed new leadership after the 2022 season. But if he can also help with draft prep and additional in-season scheming, it’s an added plus.

Featured image via Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK