New England Patriots: James Develin Ready to Step in at Tight End

New England Patriots fullback James Develin is ready just in case he needs to fill in at tight end.

Following the trade of tight end A.J. Derby to the Denver Broncos earlier this week, the New England Patriots are now thin at the position. That is, once you get past Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett. Until the team adds another natural tight end, fullback James Develin will be the next man up.

Develin has prepared for the role in the past and is ready to step in if needed. He meets with New England Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll on a daily basis and absorbs any and all information he can so when the time comes, he will be prepared.

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"“I always kind of try to prepare, obviously, for my fullback role, but then in any other role that I might be called upon for,” Develin said on Thursday via CSNNE.com. “A couple years ago, we had a bunch of injuries during the offseason program, during OTAs, and I filled in a little bit at tight end. I try to keep myself familiar with all those techniques and that tight end role so if the day were to come where I needed to go out there and do it, I’d be able to go out there and do it.”"

Develin has been primarily effective in the running game, but he does have some pass-catching skills. Although not as dynamic as Gronkowski or Bennett, he can block and catch the ball out of the backfield. Even at full back, he could become another option for Tom Brady in the passing game.

"“A lot of times, especially in the blocking game, really the only difference [between fullback and tight end] is that I’m five yards off the ball in the backfield and they’re up on the line,” Develin said. “The angles are a little bit different. But a lot of times the assignment is typically the same thing. It’s just the technique of getting there and the angles that you take.“Then in the passing game, as a tight end, there’s just a lot more routes and stuff like that. I try to work on that to help me as a fullback to be a little bit better in space . . . It’s a symbiotic relationship.”"

Like many players on the 53-man roster, James Develin has to stay both focused and prepared to be versatile as he never knows when an emergency situation will arise. With the injury history of Gronkowski and the current injury Bennett is battling through, that time can be very soon.

Next: Boston Bruins Goalie Tuukka Rask Has Returned To Practice

It wouldn’t be a surprise if that time comes as soon as Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

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