Carlton Davis III

Career StatsB

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		106	11	94	449
2025		17	0	10	69
2024		13	2	11	56
2023		12

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Patriots struck gold with Carlton Davis III, landing an above-average starter at cornerback for just $0.8M annually — a deal that earns an exceptional A+ CVI and represents one of the NFL's most lopsided value propositions. While the $34.5M guaranteed figure suggests this isn't the typical one-year prove-it contract, securing a proven boundary corner who consistently performs above starter level for under $1M per year is highway robbery in today's market where middling cornerbacks routinely command $8-12M AAV. Davis brings legitimate CB1 credentials to a Patriots secondary that desperately needed an upgrade, and at this salary, he's essentially playing for free compared to his production tier. The guaranteed money structure indicates New England locked him into a longer-term commitment, which only amplifies the value given that quality cornerback play has become prohibitively expensive across the league. This signing gives the Patriots elite positional value while preserving precious cap space for other roster needs, making it a masterclass in opportunistic team building.

Performance Analysis

Carlton Davis III enters his seventh NFL season as one of the more experienced boundary corners in the league, a former second-round pick out of Auburn who has carved out a reputation as a physical, press-capable defender capable of matching up with opponents' top receiving threats. Now with the New England Patriots, Davis brings a proven résumé to a secondary that is actively rebuilding its identity under new leadership, and at 29 years old, he remains firmly in the prime window for a cornerback at this level. His overall grade sits at a B, a reflection of a dependable but not transcendent player — someone who has delivered consistent value across 106 career games without quite ascending to the upper tier of the position. The slight dip to a B- this season, after earning a B+ in 2024 and a B in 2023, signals a modest regression worth monitoring, though it does not erase the foundation of a legitimate starting-caliber career. Where Davis has shown real value this season is in his physicality and field awareness, posting 4.06 tackles per game against an NFL average of 3.00, a number that speaks to his willingness to be a force in run support and tackle-down situations that many cover corners shy away from. His 0.59 pass defenses per game also tracks above the league average of 0.49, suggesting he remains capable of disrupting passing lanes and contesting targets — even if the elite benchmark of 0.88 highlights the ceiling he has not yet reached. The concern, however, is that the current season trend suggests some erosion from his peak, and whether that reflects scheme fit in New England, opponent targeting tendencies, or physical decline will be the central question scouts are asking. Looking ahead, Davis projects as a quality starter with the floor of a reliable CB2 and the upside of a true CB1 in the right defensive system — particularly one that leverages press coverage and pattern-matching concepts that suit his skillset. If the Patriots can build structure around him and Davis can recapture his 2024 form, a return to B+ territory is well within reach. The next twelve months will be telling; how he responds to a new environment will define whether this is a temporary blip or the beginning of a gradual decline for one of the AFC's more underrated defensive backs.

Current Sentiment

Carlton Davis III enters the 2026 season in a precarious roster situation with the New England Patriots, as multiple mock drafts and analyst predictions have openly identified him as a player the team is actively seeking to replace at cornerback. His $0.8M contract reflects a depth-level valuation despite seven years of professional experience and a respectable career resume that includes 11 interceptions and 94 passes defended. A cautiously optimistic injury or health update suggests he is not entirely out of the picture, and a highlight diving interception against C.J. Stroud demonstrated that his playmaking ability remains intact when healthy. However, the volume of replacement-focused coverage creates a narrative headwind that is difficult to overcome, signaling that the organization may view him as a bridge option rather than a long-term cornerstone. Davis will need a strong training camp and preseason performance to shift the media and fan conversation away from succession planning and toward recognition of his continued contributions to the Patriots secondary.