James Develin

Summary

James Rittenhouse Develin, Jr. (born July 23, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a fullback. He played college football for the Brown Bears as a defensive end. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League (AFL). He most prominently played for the New England Patriots for eight seasons with whom he won three Super Bowls and appeared in a Pro Bowl. Develin was on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad for two seasons and played for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL).

James Develin
refer to caption
Develin with the Patriots in 2016
No. 35, 46
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born: (1988-07-23) July 23, 1988 (age 35)
Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:Boyertown Area (Boyertown, Pennsylvania)
College:Brown
Undrafted:2010
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:26
Rushing average:1.7
Rushing touchdowns:5
Receptions:31
Receiving yards:222
Receiving touchdowns:0
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

High school career edit

Develin attended Boyertown Area Senior High School where he lettered in both football and lacrosse. While there, he was named a football team captain, team Most Valuable Player (MVP), First-team All-Area, First-team All-Pac and All-Berks County. He was chosen to play in the Berks County All-star game as well as the NationalAllStars.com Bowl. He was named a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete. He was awarded the Warren O. Fry Memorial Award as well as the Tall Cedars Football Scholar-Athlete Award.[1]

College career edit

Develin attended Brown University, where he majored in engineering and played on the defensive line for the Bears.[1]

As a freshman in 2006, he appeared in eight games. He recorded 12 tackles (six solo) and one sack.[1] In 2007, as a sophomore, he recorded 50 tackles (28 solo), 13.5 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, three quarterback hurries, and three fumble recoveries.[1] For the season, he was named Second-team All-Ivy.[1] As a junior, in 2008, he recorded 34 tackles, 9.5 tackles-for-loss, and three sacks.[2] He was named Second-team All-Ivy.[1] As a senior in 2009, he recorded 53 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries.[2]

College statistics edit

Season Team Games Defense
GP GS Cmb Solo Ass Sck TfL Int FF FR
2006 Brown 8 12 6 6 1.0 0 0 0
2007 Brown 50 28 22 6.0 13.5 0 0 3
2008 Brown 34 3.0 9.5 0 0 0
2009 Brown 53 5.0 16 1 0 2
Career[1][2] 149 15.0 39 1 0 5

Professional career edit

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3 in
(1.91 m)
259 lb
(117 kg)
5.03 s 1.75 s 2.88 s 4.55 s 7.25 s 28+12 in
(0.72 m)
8 ft 8 in
(2.64 m)
39 reps
All values from Brown's Pro Days[3][4]

Develin went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft, as expected. He attended a tryout with the Cleveland Browns, but did not receive a contract offer.[5]

Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz edit

Develin originally signed with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of the Arena Football League (AFL) and appeared in one game.[6]

Florida Tuskers edit

He then joined the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL), where he converted from defensive line to fullback. Develin played under Tuskers' head coach Jay Gruden.[6]

Cincinnati Bengals edit

On November 30, 2010, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Develin to their practice squad.[7][8]

On February 3, 2011, Develin was reunited with his former head coach with the Florida Tuskers after Jay Gruden was hired to be the Bengals' new offensive coordinator. Throughout training camp, Develin competed for a roster spot as a fullback against Cedric Peerman and Fui Vakapuna.[9] On September 3, 2011, the Cincinnati Bengals waived Develin, but signed him to their practice squad the next day after he cleared waivers.[10] Develin spent the entire 2011 season on the Bengals' practice squad. On August 31, 2012, the Cincinnati Bengals waived Develin as part of their final roster cuts.

New England Patriots edit

2012 season edit

On September 2, 2012, Develin was signed to the New England Patriots' practice squad.[11] He was promoted to the active roster on November 28, 2012.[12] On December 16, 2012, Develin made his professional regular season debut during the Patriots' 41–34 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15.[2] Develin was limited to one game as a rookie in 2012.

2013 season edit

Throughout training camp, Develin competed against Ben Bartholomew for a roster spot as a fullback and special teams player. On September 2, 2013, the Patriots released Develin as part of their final roster cuts. On September 6, 2013, he was re-signed after tight end Matthew Mulligan was released.[13] Head coach Bill Belichick named Develin the starting fullback to begin the regular season.[6][2] He made his first career start in the Patriots' season-opening 23–21 win at the Buffalo Bills. On December 1, 2013, Develin had two carries for four-yards and scored his first NFL touchdown during a 34–31 win at the Houston Texans.

Develin appeared in all 16 games, starting six. He recorded four carries for 10 yards and a touchdown, and four receptions for 62 yards.[2]

2014 season edit

In 2014, Develin appeared in all 16 games, starting four. He recorded three carries for five yards and six receptions for 43 yards.[2] He also recorded a receiving touchdown in the Patriots' 45–7 drubbing of the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game.[14] The Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX by a score of 28–24 against the Seattle Seahawks. Develin recorded 1 catch for 6 yards in the Super Bowl.

2015 season edit

On September 1, 2015, Develin was placed on season-ending injured reserve after breaking his right tibia in a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.[15]

2016 season edit

Develin re-signed with the Patriots to a one-year contract on March 7, 2016.[16] On February 5, 2017, Develin was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, he appeared on ten plays on offense and ten on special teams as the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[17][18]

2017 season edit

On March 6, 2017, Develin signed a two-year contract extension with the Patriots.[19] The deal included a $300,000 signing bonus, $200,000 in guaranteed salary, and a maximum value of $2.85 million.[20]

On December 19, 2017, Develin was selected to the Pro Bowl as a starting fullback.[21] Develin could not play in the Pro Bowl because of his team advancing to Super Bowl LII. The Patriots lost in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 41–33 without Develin recording any statistics.

2018 season edit

On June 14, 2018, Develin signed a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension with the Patriots through the 2020 season.[22] He played the second-most snaps of any fullback after the San Francisco 49ers' Kyle Juszczyk.[23] He had career highs in touchdowns, with four rushing touchdowns in a three-game span, and receptions, with 12.

Develin helped the Patriots reach Super Bowl LIII where they defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13–3.[24] Prior to the game, former running back and NFL analyst Maurice Jones-Drew called Develin the most important running back in the game, noting that he provided key blocks in all four of the Patriots' rushing touchdowns in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs.[25]

2019 season edit

On September 23, 2019, Develin was placed on injured reserve due to a neck injury he sustained in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins.[26]

Retirement edit

On April 27, 2020, Develin announced his retirement from the NFL, citing health concerns over his neck injury.[27]

NFL career statistics edit

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg TD Lng Fum Lost
2012 NE 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 NE 16 6 4 10 2.5 4 1 4 62 15.5 0 31 1 0
2014 NE 16 4 3 5 1.7 5 0 6 43 7.2 0 13 1 0
2015 NE 0 0 did not play due to injury
2016 NE 16 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 18 6.0 0 13 0 0
2017 NE 16 7 0 0 0 0 0 6 38 6.3 0 0 0 0
2018 NE 16 8 6 8 1.3 2 4 12 61 5.1 0 11 0 0
2019 NE 2 2 2 3 1.5 2 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Career 83 31 15 26 1.7 5 5 31 222 7.2 0 31 2 0

Postseason edit

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum Lost
2013 NE 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2015 NE 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 3.5 6 0 0 0
2014 NE 0 0 DNP! 2016 NE 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 13 4.3 13 0 0 0
2017 NE 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018 NE 3 2 2 5 2.5 3 0 1 9 9 9 0 0 0
Career 14 6 3 5 1.7 3 0 5 29 5.8 13 0 0 0

Personal life edit

He is the son of Jim (James Sr.) and Donna Develin. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three sons, James III, William Robert, and Joseph Rudolph, and a daughter, Adrienne Mattea.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "James Develin bio". BrownBears.com. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "James Develin – New England Patriots". Patriots.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  3. ^ "James Develin, DS #77 DE, Brown". DraftScout.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  4. ^ Shannon, Hugh (April 5, 2010). "Pro Day(s) Boost Draft Chances For Brown Bears". BleacherReport.com.
  5. ^ Parham, Mike (December 20, 2017). "James Develin: An Unsung Patriot gets his Song". PatsPulpit.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Berman, Zach (January 30, 2015). "James Develin: From Boyertown to Yard Dawgz to Patriots". Philly.com. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  7. ^ "Boyertown grad James Develin signs with Bengals". December 8, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  8. ^ Socci, Bob (September 18, 2013). "Fullback James Develin Looks To Help Any Way He Can". Boston.CBSLocal.com.
  9. ^ "Roster Scrum Begins". Bengals.com. August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals Transactions: 2011". Bengals.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  11. ^ "Patriots sign RB James Develin to practice squad". Patriots.com. September 2, 2012. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  12. ^ "Patriots sign RB James Develin to 53-man roster; Sign WR Jeremy Ebert to practice squad". Patriots.com. November 28, 2012. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  13. ^ "Patriots re-sign FB James Develin". Patriots.com. September 6, 2013. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  14. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). NFL.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 5, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ Howe, Jeff (September 1, 2015). "Source: James Develin will be placed on injured reserve". BostonHerald.com.
  16. ^ Perillo, Paul (March 7, 2016). "James Develin agrees to one-year deal". Patriots.com. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  17. ^ "Super Bowl LI – National Football League Game Summary" (PDF). National Football League. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  18. ^ "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  19. ^ Reiss, Mike (March 6, 2017). "James Develin agrees to 2-year deal with Patriots". ESPN.com.
  20. ^ "James Develin's two-year Patriots deal includes $300K signing bonus". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  21. ^ Around The NFL staff (December 19, 2017). "NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters". NFL.com.
  22. ^ Reiss, Mike (June 14, 2018). "Patriots, FB James Develin near 2-year extension". ESPN.com.
  23. ^ "NFL SNAP COUNTS | Football Outsiders". www.footballoutsiders.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  24. ^ Shpigel, Ben (February 4, 2019). "Patriots Win in Lowest-Scoring Super Bowl Ever". The New York Times. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  25. ^ "James Develin is the most important back in Super Bowl LIII". NFL.com. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  26. ^ Kyed, Doug (September 23, 2019). "Patriots Place Fullback James Develin On Injured Reserve With Neck Ailment". NESN. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  27. ^ "James Develin announces his retirement". NBCSports.com. April 27, 2020.

External links edit

  • James Develin on Twitter
  • Brown Bears bio