New England Patriots, James Develin Strike Two-Year $2.8M Deal
One of the NFL’s top fullbacks is staying put as the New England Patriots re-sign one of their key role players.
The fullback position has not gone extinct in the NFL. According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald Monday, the New England Patriots and James Develin has agreed to a two-year contract. The news was initially rumored days ago.
By locking up Develin, the Patriots will not allow one of the NFL’s top fullbacks to test the free agent market. As there may have not been a huge market for the Brown University alum, New England decided to take care of business and secure a player who has displayed toughness and versatility for the team since he first joined the team in 2002.
The terms of the deal, according to Howe, is approximately worth $2.8 M over two years. This shows Develin’s value to the team.
Develin's deal is worth approximately $1.4M per season. So about $2.8M over two years.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 6, 2017
The 28-year-old Develin played a career-high 350 offensive snaps last season. Although not much offensive production, he played a key role in opening up holes in the running game as the lead blocker. He also stepped in at tight end when Rob Gronkowski went down with a season-ending back injury. In that role, he caught three passes for 18 yards.
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While not targeted many times, it wouldn’t be surprising if he has more targets in the passing game once more trust is established with Tom Brady.
What the signing means for 2017
Locking up a player like Develin means the Patriots will incorporate at least as much balance to their offense as they did last season with the running game. They also bring back a player who could serve as a third or fourth tight end and a security blanket in case Gronkowski goes down again.
One thing we know about James Develin, is he is always ready and prepared to step in at tight end and use those techniques he learned from former tight ends coach Brian Dabol.
"“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 back in October, 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.”"
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Those days did come throughout the rest of the 2016 season and the tough, versatile fullback has been rewarded for his “next man up” mentality.