Like most teams, the Patriots are hustling to take care of business with their own guys before the free agent market opens tomorrow afternoon.
And yesterday, they handled a few pieces of it.
According to Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald, the Patriots signed fullback James Develin to a new one-year contract, taking care of him before he’d become a restricted free agent.
Develin’s a versatile and useful piece, though he doesn’t have much in the way of stats (17 career touches). And Tom Brady’s a big fan, calling him the best fullback in the league.
But he’s also coming off a broken leg last year in the preseason, and the Patriots were able to get him back at a number lower than the $1.6 million RFA tender.
The Patriots also tendered exclusive rights free agent tackle Cameron Fleming, and informed EFAs Justin Coleman and Brandon King they would be tendered if they don’t reach multi-year deals.