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 while playing arena football.
- 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.
- In 2017, became the first Patriots fullback since Sam Cunningham in 1978 to earn Pro Bowl honors.
SEASONAL REVIEWS
2018 (10/4)
- Started at fullback in the season-opening victory vs. Houston (9/9) and contributed with lead-blocking duties, while also adding four receptions on four targets for 22 yards. Also made a tackle on a Patriots turnover in the third quarter.
- Contributed at fullback with lead-blocking duties in the running game in the matchup at Jacksonville (9/16).
- Started at fullback but saw limited snaps in the game at Detroit (9/23).
- Started at fullback and helped contribute with lead-blocking duties for an offense that rushed for 175 yards in the victory vs. Miami (9/30).
- Appeared sparingly on offense and contributed with lead-blocking duties in the run game, while also adding a special teams tackle in the win vs. Indianapolis (10/4).
- Contributed at fullback with lead-blocking duties, helping Sony Michel rush for over 100 yards, while also adding two receptions for three yards in the victory vs. Kansas City (10/14). The two receptions gave him six on the season, tying a career high.
- Appeared in a reserve role at fullback and contributed with lead-blocking duties in the win at Chicago (10/21).
- Started at fullback and contributed predominantly as a lead blocker, while also adding one reception for 7 yards in the win at Buffalo (10/29). The reception was his seventh of the season, setting a new career-high.
- Contributed on offense as a lead blocker at fullback and caught one pass for 0 yards, while also contributing on special teams in the win vs. Green Bay (11/4).
- Had his first rushing attempt since 2014 when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the game at Tennessee (11/11), while also contributing on special teams with two special teams tackles.
2017 (16/16, 3/2)
- Earned his first career Pro Bowl invitation.
- Played in all 16 regular-season games with seven starts at fullback, used primarily as a lead blocker in running situations. Also contributed heavily on special teams. Tallied six receptions for 38 yards and made one special teams tackle.
- Appeared in all three postseason contests. 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).
- Appeared as a reserve at fullback and caught his first pass of the season for 6 yards in the victory at New Orleans (9/17).
- 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 added special teams contributions in the victory at Tampa Bay (10/5).
- Started at fullback and contributed with lead-blocking duties, while also catching two passes for 16 yards in the victory at Denver (11/12).
- Appeared in a reserve role at fullback and caught one pass for 2 yards at Miami (12/11).
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).
- Caught a 13-yard pass from Tom Brady on a first and-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)
- Played in all 16 regular-season games with four starts and rushed three times for five yards. Also caught six passes for 43 yards.
- Appeared as a reserve in all three playoff contests and caught two passes for seven yards and a touchdown.
- Played a season-high 30 snaps in the win at Indianapolis (11/16), helping pave the way for 246 rushing yards.
- Scored his second NFL touchdown and his first-ever postseason touchdown on a one-yard pass from Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game win vs. Indianapolis (1/18). The score also marked Develin’s first career TD reception - regular or postseason.
- Posted one reception for six yards in the Super Bowl XLIX win vs. Seattle (2/1). Also had his first career kickoff return for five yards.
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 4 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)
- Spent the majority of the season on the practice squad and four weeks on the 53-man roster.
- Appeared in his first NFL game on special teams in the loss vs. San Francisco (12/16).
- Was inactive at Jacksonville (12/23), 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.
