James Develin was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on Sept. 6, 2013 ... Originally signed by Cincinnati to the practice squad (11/30/10) … Released by Cincinnati (9/3/11) … Signed by Cincinnati to the practice squad (9/4/11) … Released by Cincinnati (8/31/12) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/1/12) ... Signed by New England to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (11/28/12) ... Released by New England (12/24/12) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (12/26/12) ... Released by New England (9/2/13).
CAREER TRANSACTIONS
James Develin was signed by the New England Patriots as a free agent on Sept. 6, 2013 ... Originally signed by Cincinnati to the practice squad (11/30/10) … Released by Cincinnati (9/3/11) … Signed by Cincinnati to the practice squad (9/4/11) … Released by Cincinnati (8/31/12) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (9/1/12) ... Signed by New England to the 53-man roster from the practice squad (11/28/12) ... Released by New England (12/24/12) ... Signed by New England to the practice squad (12/26/12) ... Released by New England (9/2/13).
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Played his entire college career as a defensive lineman before converting to offense.
- Began his professional career with the Florida Tuskers of the UFL and helped Florida reach the league championship game under head coach Jay Gruden, who is now the head coach for the Washington Redskins.
- Spent part of 2010 and all of 2011 on the Cincinnati practice squad and most of 2012 on New England practice squad.
SEASONAL REVIEWS
2017 (16/16, 3/2)
- Appeared as a reserve and was lead blocker at fullback on all three Patriot rushing touchdowns while also contributing on special teams vs. Kansas City (9/7).
- Appeared as a reserve at fullback and caught his first pass of the season for six yards in the victory at New Orleans (9/17).
- Appeared at fullback on offense and contributed on special teams in the win vs. Houston (9/24).
- Caught two passes for 14 yards while also contributing on special teams with one special teams tackle vs. Carolina (10/1).
- Made his first start of the season at fullback and was targeted once in the passing game but held without a catch while also adding special teams contributions in the victory at Tampa Bay (10/5).
- Contributed with blocking duties at fullback as well as on special teams in the win at N.Y. Jets (10/15).
- Started at fullback and contributed on lead-blocking duties out of the backfield in the win vs. Atlanta (10/22).
- Was targeted once in the passing game but held without a catch while also contributing on special teamsin the victory vs. L.A. Chargers (10/29).
- Started at fullback and contributed with lead-blocking duties, while also catching two passes for 16 yards in the victory at Denver (11/12).
- Started at fullback but did not accrue any statistics in the victory at Oakland (11/19) in Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.
- Saw limited snaps on offense but also contributed on special teams during the victory vs. Miami (11/26).
- Appeared sparingly at fullback while also making special teams contributions in the win at Buffalo (12/3).
- Appeared in a reserve role at fullback and caught one pass for two yards at Miami (12/11).
- Started at fullback and was targeted once in the passing game but held without a catch in the win at Pittsburgh (12/17).
- Started at fullback and contributed as a lead blocker while also contributing on special teams in the win vs. Buffalo (12/24).
- Started at fullback and was targeted once in the passing game but held without a catch in the victory vs. N.Y. Jets (12/31).
- Contributed with lead-blocking roles at fullback and on special teams in the Divisional round victory vs. Tennessee (1/13).
- Started at fullback and contributed on special teams in the AFC Championship victory vs. Jacksonville (1/21) and in Super Bowl LII vs. Philadelphia (2/4).
2016 (16/4, 3/0)
- Made a successful return to the field in 2016 after missing the 2015 season with a leg injury.
- Played in all 16 regular-season games with four starts at fullback; used primarily as a blocker in running situations. Posted three receptions for 18 yards. Also saw significant action on special teams, returning three kickoffs for 35 yards and making one special teams tackle.
- Appeared in all three playoff games as a reserve and had two catches for 13 yards.
- Recorded one special teams tackle while seeing action on offense and on special teams in the win at Cleveland (10/9).
- Recorded one reception for five yards in the win at N.Y. Jets (11/27).
- Started at fullback and made one catch for 13 yards in the win at Denver (12/18). H Caught a 13-yard pass from Tom Brady on a firstand-10 Patriots third quarter scoring drive that eventually led to a one-yard touchdown run by LeGarrette Blount in the AFC Championship win vs. Pittsburgh (1/22)
2015 (0/0)
- Suffered a leg injury during the preseason game at Carolina (8/28) and was placed on season - ending Injured Reserve on Sept. 1
2014 (16/4)
- Posted one reception for six yards in the Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1/15). Also had his first career kickoff return for five yards.
- Scored his second NFL touchdown and his first ever postseason touchdown on a one-yard pass from Tom Brady in the first quarter of the AFC Championship win vs. Indianapolis (1/18/15).
- Contributed at fullback and on special teams in the AFC Divisional win vs. Baltimore (1/10/15).
- Paved the way for Jonas Gray's go-ahead, one-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of the win at N.Y. Jets (12/21).
- Played a season-high 30 snaps in the win at Indianapolis (11/16), helping pave the way for 246 rushing yards.
- Posted two catches for 13 yards in the win vs. Denver (11/2).
- Played a then-season-high 28 offensive snaps in the win vs. Chicago (10/26).
- Started at fullback in the win vs. N.Y. Jets (10/16).
- Carried once for no gain and caught one pass for two yards in the win at Buffalo (10/12).
- Started at fullback in the win vs. Cincinnati (10/5), rushing twice for five yards and catching one pass for 11 yards.
- Recorded his first reception of the year at Minnesota (9/14), finishing the game with two catches for 17 yards.
- Started at fullback in the season opener at Miami (9/7) and in the home opener vs. Oakland (9/21).
2013 (16/6, 2/2)
- Played all 16 regular-season games and made six starts. Compiled four rushes for 10 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 62 yards.
- Started both playoff games and rushed once for 0 yards.
- Made the 53-man roster out of training camp, was released before the regular season started and was re-signed prior to the season opener.
- Started the first game of his career at Buffalo (9/8).
- Started at fullback and caught his first career pass, a 4-yard reception vs. N.Y. Jets (9/12).
- Compiled the first two rushes of his career for four yards and the first touchdown of his NFL career at Houston (12/1). Develin plunged into the end zone on a multiple-effort carry on the goal line in the third quarter. Also caught one pass for 12 yards.
- Hauled in a career-long 31-yard reception vs. Cleveland (12/8).
- Made his first career playoff start vs. Indianapolis (1/11) and had one carry for 0 yards.
2012 (1/0, 0/0)
- Appeared in his first NFL game on special teams in the loss vs. San Francisco (12/16).
- Was inactive vs. Houston (12/10) and at Miami (12/2).
2011 (0/0 - Cincinnati)
- Spent the regular and postseason season as a member of the practice squad.
2010 (0/0 - Cincinnati)
- Joined the practice squad for the final five games of the season after playing for the Florida Tuskers in the United Football League.
COLLEGE
- Played four seasons on the defensive line at Brown.
- Recorded 53 total tackles, one interception, two fumble recoveries and led the team with five sacks and 16 tackles for loss as a senior.
- As a junior, posted 34 tackles, three sacks and 9½ tackles for loss.
PERSONAL
- Attended Boyertown Area Senior High School (Gilbertsville, Pa.), where he lettered in football and lacrosse.
- Named a football team captain and team MVP.
- Was named first-team all-area and all-county.
- Majored in engineering at Brown.
- James and his wife, Jennifer have two sons, James III and William.
EXTRA POINTS
- An Ivy League defensive lineman standout at Brown, James Develin graduated in 2010 with a degree in chemical engineering and began lining up interviews with companies he felt might be best suited for the technical skills. However, Develin wanted to give football one last shot, and play in the NFL.
- "Football is something that is not around your entire life," Develin told The Boston Globe. "I knew if I didn't give it my best shot to play football as a career, that I'd always regret it."
- Develin made the most of his opportunity by switching positions to fullback. Following stints in the Arena Football League and the now defunct United Football League, Develin caught on with the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad and eventually worked his way to the Patriots 53-man roster full-time in 2013.
