CHESTNUT HILL – Theoretically, having a Division 1 ACC school a half hour away should be beneficial for the Patriots.

Especially when the head coach of both the school and the team are close friends.

Mike Vrabel, Doug Marrone, Mike Smith and Ryan Cowden were in the house for BC Pro Day on Monday afternoon, representing the Pats among 29 NFL teams and four from the CFL.

Vrabel and O’Brien have talked often about their relationship and Marrone has obviously been close with O’Brien for years, helping out on the BC staff just recently before joining the Patriots.

Assuming both Vrabel and O’Brien are still here for a while, the ability for the Patriots to have constant, first-hand knowledge of potential difference-making prospects at BC could (and should) be an extremely valuable asset.

Especially when it comes to offensive linemen.

After a solid day for Jude Bowry, Logan Taylor and Kevin Cline, I asked O’Brien about that possible pipeline between the team in Foxborough and his squad in Chestnut Hill, particularly given the friendship he shares with Vrabel.

“Oh yeah, no doubt. Obviously, Mike’s done an unbelievable job in a very short time turning that around,” he said. “We try to recruit guys that are tough, that are smart, that are dependable. I think those are the type of guys that he’s looking for on his team.

“So, you’re hoping there’s a little bit of a pipeline. These guys for us today. The offensive linemen, tight end (Jeremiah Franklin), Lewis Bond, Jude Bowry, Logan Taylor, Q Hutchins, they all did a great job today. So, it was good to see that.”

Now, Vrabel, Cowden and Eliot Wolf probably won’t draft every guy mentioned, but there’s certainly a fit for all of them. Linemen, Hutchins, Franklin or Bond would instantly become helpful somewhere at 1 Patriots Place.

Vrabel chatted for a few minutes with Taylor and coached up Hutchins a bit. Cowden spoke with Bond and Smith and Marrone were actively involved or leading the offensive line drills.

Zay Flowers will always be the one that got away for most Pats fans that also grew up rooting for or went to BC. But, it doesn’t always have to be this way.

The BC to Foxborough pipeline might finally be opening on a more regular basis.

Everyone involved will be better for it too.