Pats Pulpit
Previewing the Patriots cornerback heading into his first season with the team.
Entering free agency as the league leaders in salary cap space, the New England Patriots wasted no time making some big investments. Among those was veteran cornerback Carlton Davis, who signed a three-year, $54 million contract after previous stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.
Now a Patriot, Davis projects as a starter and the Robin to All-Pro Christian Gonzalez’s Batman.
Name: Carlton Davis III
Position: Cornerback
Jersey number: 7
Opening day age: 28 (12/31/1996)
Measurements: 6’1”, 206 lbs, 79 3/8” wingspan, 32 3/4” arm length, 8 7/8” hand size, 4.53s 40-yard dash, 34” vertical jump, 10’4” broad jump, 7.3s 3-cone drill, 4.31s short shuttle, 16 bench press reps, 6.36 Relative Athletic Score
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018-23), Detroit Lions (2024), England Patriots (2025-) | College: Auburn (2015-17)
One of the top prospects in the state of Florida coming out Miami Norland High School, Davis received scholarship offers from some of the most successful college programs in the country. Even though his hometown Miami Hurricanes were among them, the three-star recruit decided to take his talents to Auburn.
Davis made an impact from early in his true freshman campaign on, and after three seasons with the Tigers had 38 in-game appearances and 32 starts on his résumé. He also registered three interceptions and forced fumbles each, and was honored as an All-SEC selection in both his second and third seasons at Auburn. As a result of his success, he decided to forgo his senior year and headed for the NFL Draft.
The decision paid off: Davis heard his name called 63rd overall in the second round of the 2018 draft. He went on to spend six seasons with the Buccaneers, during which he appeared in 85 combined regular season and playoff games and helped the team win a Super Bowl. Despite his status as a starter in the Tampa Bay secondary, he was traded to Detroit during the 2024 offseason.
In total, Davis has started 97 of his 98 career games while also intercepting 11 passes, forcing four fumbles and recovering six.
Strengths: Standing at 6-foot-1 with a 79 3/8-inch wingspan and almost 33-inch arms, Davis offers tremendous length at the cornerback position. This in combination with a naturally physical demeanor allows him to get into receivers quickly and efficiently at the line of scrimmage. An able press-man cornerback who also has a proven track record in zone looks, he is capable of challenging pass catchers throughout their routes and at the catch point. His build allows him to contest catches on the perimeter and in jump-ball situations.
Davis also is one of the better run defenders the cornerback position has to offer. He attacks downhill with a purpose, and is able to fight off wide receiver blocks to get to the ball carrier. In general, Davis plays the position with a high level of intensity and swagger:...
