James Develin

New England Patriots
Running Back #46
New England Patriots
Running Back #46

James Develin News

Calls it a career

Develin (neck) has announced his decision to retire from the NFL on Monday, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Develin's decision was likely informed by the serious neck injury that limited him to just two games in 2019, as he opts to hang up the cleats ahead of his age-32 season. The fullback began his NFL career on Cincinnati's practice squad for two years before earning the starting gig in New England, where he contributed to three Super Bowl wins from 2012-19. In addition to playing a key role as a blocker across 83 games with the team, Develin additionally accumulated five touchdowns and 31 receptions as a versatile, though seldom utilized, weapon out of the backfield.

Apr 27, 2020 1:10 PM EST


Hits injured reserve

The Patriots placed Develin (neck) on injured reserve Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Develin sat out Sunday's win over the Jets due to an undisclosed neck injury suffered Week 2 versus Miami. It's possible that Develin could return midseason if he gets healthy, but that would restrict New England to bringing back only one of Isaiah Wynn (toe) or N'Keal Harry (ankle). The Patriots are a candidate to add another fullback to the roster, as the position plays an integral role in the team's running game.

Sep 23, 2019 2:04 PM EST



Out for Week 3

Develin (neck) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Nick Underhill of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Develin is managing a neck injury of undisclosed severity. The Patriots don't have another fullback on the roster and will operate without one during Sunday's tilt against the Jets. Develin operates primarily as a blocker in New England's offense, though he has logged two carries for three yards across two contests.

Sep 20, 2019 1:26 PM EST


Not practicing Wednesday

Develin (neck) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, Andrew Callahan of MassLive reports.

Analysis: Develin was on the field often through the first two weeks, rushing two times for three yards over 59 snaps. The nature of his injury doesn't sound promising, but he'll try to get on the practice field in some capacity by Friday. The Patriots don't have another fullback on the roster, so they may sign another or simply go without Sunday versus the Jets.

Sep 18, 2019 1:48 PM EST


Earns first touches of season

Develin ran twice for three total yards during Sunday's 43-0 win over Miami.

Analysis: It was just the second multi-carry game over the past four seasons for Develin who, while integral to New England's running game, seldom gets opportunities himself. The Brown product did manage to find the end zone four times last season despite just six carries and eight rushing yards, but the prospect of a vultured touchdown or two is probably not worth the risk on a Patriots team stocked with other weapons and mercurial in approach week to week.

Sep 17, 2019 3:53 PM EST



Effective blocker in Super Bowl

Develin played 30 of the Patriots' 72 offensive snaps Sunday and didn't log any touches during the team's 13-3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

Analysis: Though he didn't get the ball in the Patriots' lone goal-line situation, Develin delivered a crushing block to pave the way for Sony Michel to score the game's only touchdown. He concluded the postseason with only three touches but should continue to earn plenty of field time in 2019 thanks to his reliability as a lead blocker.

Feb 4, 2019 12:41 PM EST


Scores four TDs this season

Develin finished the 2018 season with six carries for eight yards and four rushing TDs and 12 catches on 17 targets for 61 yards in 16 games.

Analysis: In his role as the Patriots' starting fullback, Develin makes most of his impact as a blocker, but his occasional TDs this season put the 30-year-old on the fantasy radar in ultra-deep formats. Develin remains under contract with New England through the 2020 campaign, setting the stage for him to make random trips to the end zone once again next season.

Dec 31, 2018 1:58 PM EST


Logs 36 snaps Sunday

Develin did not log a carry or catch in Sunday's 24-12 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Develin was on the field for 36 snaps Sunday, but the fullback wasn't part of the Patriots' game plan on offense, en route to going without a carry for the second straight week. He's still a threat to score the occasional TD, but that's not predictable enough for him to merit fantasy lineup consideration.

Dec 24, 2018 8:13 AM EST


Catches two passes against Pittsburgh

Develin caught both of his targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 17-10 loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: With that, Develin's improbable TD run comes to a halt. It's still possible that the Patriots' fullback will get some goal-line carries in the coming weeks, but when that doesn't happen, he doesn't see enough volume in other situations to make up for it.

Dec 17, 2018 9:56 AM EST


Turns only Week 14 carry into TD

Develin scored a two-yard touchdown on his only carry in Sunday's 34-33 loss to the Dolphins.

Analysis: The fullback has scored in two straight games and has four TDs over his last four contests, despite logging only six carries in that span. He'll remain a risky TD-dependent fantasy roll of the dice this weekend against the Steelers.

Dec 11, 2018 8:39 AM EST


Two TDs in Week 13

Develin carried four times for five yards and scored a pair of short TDs in Sunday's 24-10 win over the Vikings. The fullback also caught one pass for nine yards.

Analysis: Develin's name is going to stand out on waiver wires based on his Week 13 fantasy point total, but with just five carries through 12 games, banking on him making continued trips to the end zone (he also scored in Week 10) is a high-risk strategy.

Dec 3, 2018 9:26 AM EST


Scores touchdown in loss

Develin scored a touchdown on his lone carry in Sunday's loss to Tennessee.

Analysis: Develin hasn't seen much action this season, and had zero rushing attempts entering Sunday's game. His one-yard touchdown appears more fluke than anything, and he still has extremely little fantasy value.

Nov 12, 2018 10:09 AM EST


News powered by