Carlton Davis

Carlton Davis III Bio

Carlton Davis III is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 31, 1996, in Miami, Florida, he distinguished himself as a talented player at Auburn University before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Known for his impressive defensive skills, Davis helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in 2021, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest levels of the game.

Early Life and Background

Carlton Davis III attended Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he played high school football and developed into a highly decorated recruit. He originally committed to Ohio State University to play college football but later changed his commitment to Auburn University. His exceptional performance in high school positioned him among the most sought-after defensive back prospects in the country.

Path to Professional Football

Davis enrolled at Auburn University in 2015 and immediately made an impact as a true freshman, earning a starting role from the beginning of the season. He finished his freshman year with 56 tackles and three interceptions, demonstrating his ability to compete at the highest collegiate level. His sophomore season saw him record 46 tackles while continuing to develop his coverage skills against Southeastern Conference competition.

In his junior season of 2017, Davis elevated his game to an elite level. He finished with 36 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and one interception. His outstanding performance earned him First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC honors in 2017. He declared for the NFL Draft on January 3, 2018, concluding his Auburn career having started throughout his three seasons.

Carlton Davis III Career

Pre-Draft Process

Prior to the 2018 NFL Draft, Davis attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and completed the majority of drills. He finished eighth among all cornerbacks in the broad jump and bench press. He participated at Auburn’s pro day on March 9, 2018, improving his 40-yard dash time to 4.44 seconds. NFL draft experts projected him as a second-round pick. He was ranked as the sixth-best cornerback prospect by Sports Illustrated, the eighth-best by DraftScout.com, and the ninth-best by Scouts Inc.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2018–2023)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Davis in the second round with the 63rd overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Buccaneers acquired this selection during a trade that sent their original third-round pick to the New England Patriots. Davis signed a four-year, $4.39 million contract on May 24, 2018, that included $2.43 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.27 million. He entered training camp competing against several cornerbacks for a starting role.

Head coach Dirk Koetter named Davis the third cornerback on the depth chart to begin the 2018 season behind Brent Grimes and Vernon Hargreaves. However, when Grimes injured his groin during practice before the season opener, Davis was inserted into the starting lineup. He made his professional debut and first career start on September 9, 2018, recording four combined tackles during a 48-40 victory against the New Orleans Saints. Davis finished his rookie season with 40 combined tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 13 games and 13 starts.

On January 8, 2019, the Buccaneers hired Bruce Arians as their new head coach following the dismissal of Koetter. Davis entered the 2019 season projected as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback after the departure of Grimes. In Week 4, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles during a 55-40 victory at the Los Angeles Rams. On November 24, 2019, he recorded five solo tackles, a career-high five pass deflections, and his first career interception during a win at the Atlanta Falcons. He finished 2019 with 60 combined tackles, 19 pass deflections, and one interception in 14 games and 14 starts.

On April 8, 2020, Davis announced he would change his jersey number from 33 to 24 in honor of the late Kobe Bryant. The 2020 season proved to be his breakthrough year. He recorded a career-high four interceptions and was instrumental in the Buccaneers finishing 11-5 and clinching a Wildcard berth. He started in Super Bowl LV on February 7, 2021, and made five combined tackles as the Buccaneers routed the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to win the championship.

In the 2021 season, Davis started in the home-opener against the Dallas Cowboys and made his lone interception of the season during a 31-29 victory. However, a quadriceps injury suffered in Week 4 caused him to miss seven consecutive games. He was activated from injured reserve on December 3, 2021, finishing the season with 39 combined tackles and one interception in ten games and ten starts.

On March 16, 2022, the Buccaneers re-signed Davis to a three-year, $44.50 million contract extension that included $30 million guaranteed. When Bruce Arians shifted to a senior football consultant role, defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was promoted to head coach. Davis remained the No. 1 starting cornerback under Bowles. In 2022, he finished with 65 combined tackles, 12 pass deflections, and one interception in 13 games and 13 starts. His 2023 season was limited to 12 games due to a toe injury, recording 52 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and two interceptions.

Detroit Lions Era (2024)

On March 13, 2024, the Buccaneers traded Davis and two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions for a third-round pick. The Lions signed Davis to a one-year, $14.50 million contract. Head coach Dan Campbell named Davis and Terrion Arnold the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.

Davis started in the Lions’ home-opener against the Los Angeles Rams and set a season-high with ten combined tackles during a 26-20 overtime victory. In Week 4, he recorded seven combined tackles and recovered a fumble as the Lions defeated the Seattle Seahawks 42-29. On November 10, 2024, he made four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and set a season-high with two interceptions during a victory at the Houston Texans. He suffered a leg injury on November 24, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Prior to the injury, Davis recorded two interceptions, 11 passes defended, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

New England Patriots Era (2025–Present)

On March 13, 2025, the New England Patriots signed Davis to a three-year, $60 million contract that includes $34.50 million guaranteed upon signing. He joined the Patriots wearing jersey number 7. Davis finished the 2025 season with 69 tackles and 10 pass deflections in 17 games and starts. He recorded six total tackles in Super Bowl LX, a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Driving Style and Strengths

Davis has established himself as a physical, aggressive cornerback known for his ability to shadow opposing teams’ top receivers. His combination of size, speed, and tackling ability has made him a reliable No. 1 cornerback throughout his career. He has demonstrated excellent ball skills with 11 career interceptions and 94 pass deflections, along with the versatility to contribute in run defense with 449 career tackles.

Notable Events and Milestones

Davis’s career has been highlighted by his Super Bowl LV victory with the Buccaneers and his consistent availability as a starter throughout his career. His four-interception season in 2020 represented his career-high, while his performance in the 2020 playoffs, including the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, showcased his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. His 2024 season with the Lions ended prematurely due to injury after he had already recorded two interceptions through ten games.

Carlton Davis III Career Wins

Davis has accumulated 449 career regular-season tackles, 94 pass deflections, and 11 interceptions across his NFL career spanning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, and New England Patriots. His most productive season came in 2020 when he recorded a career-high four interceptions while helping the Buccaneers capture Super Bowl LV.

Major Championships

Davis won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on February 7, 2021. He started at cornerback and recorded five tackles in the Buccaneers’ 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. This championship capped a remarkable season that saw Davis record career-highs in interceptions and pass deflections while anchoring a Buccaneers defense that dominated throughout the playoffs.

Other Highlights

Beyond his Super Bowl victory, Davis earned First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC honors during his junior season at Auburn University in 2017. He was named Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC Team member in 2015. His college career included 138 total tackles and seven interceptions across three seasons.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Carlton Davis III’s career as he joined the New England Patriots following his brief tenure with the Detroit Lions. Davis started all 17 games for the Patriots, demonstrating his durability and consistent availability as a starting cornerback. He accumulated 69 tackles and 10 pass deflections while wearing jersey number 7. The Patriots’ defense relied heavily on his experience and leadership in the secondary throughout the season.

Davis’s most significant performance came in Super Bowl LX, where he recorded six total tackles in the championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. Despite the team’s 29-13 loss, Davis’s contribution on defense highlighted his ability to remain competitive at the highest level. His partnership with the Patriots’ coaching staff and his role in developing younger defensive backs became a focal point of the team’s 2025 campaign.

Looking ahead, Davis’s three-year contract with the Patriots through 2028 indicates the organization views him as a foundational piece of their defensive rebuild. His veteran presence and proven track record of shutdown cornerback play provide stability for a Patriots team seeking to return to championship contention.