Patriots Reportedly Lock Up Lockdown Corner With Massive Deal

It’s becoming increasingly clear defense is going to be the strength of the Patriots in 2025, and the secondary is the latest area to receive an upgrade.

New England has reportedly struck a deal with cornerback Carlton Davis, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero. It’s a reportedly three-year deal for $60 million with $34 million guaranteed.

Davis, a 2018 second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, spent the 2024 season with the Detroit Lions. He played in 13 games for the NFC North champions, coming down with two interceptions and 11 passes defended. He also recovered a pair of fumbles and chipped in with 42 solo tackles, two for losses.

Pro Football Focus gave Davis a 72.1 coverage grade, ranking him 38th out of 223 cornerbacks in the NFL, and his 74.5 overall grade ranked 29th. Opponents targeted Davis 72 times, completing 43 of those (59.7%) for 583 yards and three touchdowns. His 87.9 passer rating against was the second-best mark of his career.

Davis played the first 13 games of the season before suffering a season-ending jaw injury.

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It’s a perfectly fine addition that no doubt will make the Patriots defense even better. Davis might look even better in a New England defense that already has Christian Gonzalez in the No. 1 corner role.

New England, while reportedly being in on just about every offensive player, has instead had luck locking down defensive talent as free agency sets to open. The Patriots also reportedly reached a deal with linebacker Robert Spillane on Monday, one day after reportedly coming to terms with former Titans standout linebacker Harold Landry.

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