Carlton Davis Bio
Carlton Davis III is an American professional football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. 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, Carlton Davis III helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory following the 2020 season, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level of professional football.
Early Life and Background
Carlton Davis III was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where his surroundings helped shape his early interest in competitive sports. He attended Miami Norland Senior High School in Miami Gardens, Florida, where he played high school football and began attracting attention from college recruiters for his size and coverage ability.
During his recruitment, Carlton Davis III originally committed to Ohio State University to play college football, but he later changed his commitment to Auburn University. The decision to join the Auburn Tigers launched the next phase of his football development and set the stage for his professional career.
Path to American Football
Carlton Davis III arrived at Auburn as a true freshman in 2015 and immediately earned a starting role in the Tigers secondary. He finished that season with 56 tackles and three interceptions, performances that earned him Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC recognition and established him as one of the top young cornerbacks in college football.
Across his three college seasons, Carlton Davis III continued to develop, recording 46 tackles as a sophomore in 2016 and finishing his 2017 junior campaign with 36 tackles, 12 pass deflections, and one interception. His strong 2017 play earned him First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC honors, and on January 3, 2018, he declared his intentions to enter the 2018 NFL Draft.
Carlton Davis Career
Pre-Draft and Draft (2018)
Carlton Davis III attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he completed the majority of drills and finished eighth among all cornerbacks in the broad jump and bench press. He later participated at Auburn’s pro day, improving his 40-yard dash to 4.44 seconds, and was projected as a second-round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Carlton Davis III in the second round, 63rd overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the ninth cornerback drafted that year, and the Buccaneers signed him to a four-year, $4.39 million contract that included a signing bonus of $1.27 million.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2018-2023)
Carlton Davis III debuted for the Buccaneers in Week 1 of the 2018 season and quickly moved into the starting lineup, finishing his rookie year with 40 combined tackles, four pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 13 games. In 2019, he was named a full-time starter under new head coach Bruce Arians and recorded his first career interception off a pass from Matt Ryan, finishing the year with 60 combined tackles and 19 pass deflections.
The 2020 season was the defining year of Carlton Davis III’s time in Tampa Bay, as he recorded a career-high four interceptions, including a pick-six off Justin Herbert and a late interception of Daniel Jones. He helped the Buccaneers reach Super Bowl LV, where Tampa Bay routed the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to claim the championship. He signed a three-year, $44.50 million contract extension in March 2022 and continued as a starter under head coach Todd Bowles before being traded following the 2023 season.
Detroit Lions Era (2024)
On March 13, 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded Carlton Davis III and two sixth-round picks to the Detroit Lions. He signed a one-year, $14.50 million contract and was named a starting cornerback alongside rookie Terrion Arnold under head coach Dan Campbell. He recorded two interceptions against C. J. Stroud of the Houston Texans and posted 11 passes defended, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries before a leg injury in late November ended his season.
New England Patriots Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, the New England Patriots signed Carlton Davis III to a three-year, $60.00 million contract that included $34.50 million guaranteed upon signing and a $16.00 million signing bonus. He stepped into a starting role and finished the regular season with 69 tackles, including 39 solo stops, and 10 pass deflections in 17 starts. In Super Bowl LX, a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Carlton Davis III recorded six total tackles.
Driving Style and Strengths
Carlton Davis III is recognized for his length, physicality at the line of scrimmage, and confidence in press-man coverage. He pairs outside coverage discipline with strong tackling against the run, and his ability to play the ball in the air has produced 94 career pass deflections and 11 interceptions through the 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature event of Carlton Davis III’s career is Super Bowl LV, where he started and helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 to win the championship. Other milestones include his first career interception off Matt Ryan in 2019, his 2020 career-high four-interception season, and his first Super Bowl start in 2025 with the New England Patriots.
Carlton Davis Career Wins
Across his NFL career, Carlton Davis III has been part of winning teams in multiple seasons, highlighted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ run to the Super Bowl LV title. He has consistently contributed to competitive defenses and has been a reliable presence in big moments.
Team Highlights
Carlton Davis III played a key role on the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that won Super Bowl LV and recorded 11 interceptions in the regular season as part of that title run. He continued as a starter for Tampa Bay through 2023, then helped the Detroit Lions reach the playoffs in 2024 before signing with the New England Patriots in 2025.
Carlton Davis Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Public details about the immediate family of Carlton Davis III are limited, and specific information about his parents, spouse, or children is not confirmed in available sources. He grew up in Miami, Florida, and his family supported his development as a young athlete before he left for Auburn University.
Personal Life
Carlton Davis III maintains an active public presence and is known for honoring the late Kobe Bryant by changing his jersey number to 24 in 2020. He is recognized for his community engagement and has been a prominent voice among NFL cornerbacks throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
In his first season with the New England Patriots, Carlton Davis III served as a starting cornerback and finished the year with 69 tackles, including 39 solo stops, and 10 pass deflections in 17 starts. His veteran presence and size at 6 feet 1 inch and 206 pounds helped stabilize the Patriots secondary throughout the regular season.
Carlton Davis III contributed six total tackles in Super Bowl LX, a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that ended the Patriots’ postseason run. His production, durability, and leadership in his debut New England season positioned him as a long-term building block for the defense.
Looking ahead, Carlton Davis III is signed through the 2028 season after his three-year, $60.00 million contract, giving the Patriots a proven veteran to build the secondary around. He is expected to remain a top cornerback in New England’s defensive scheme and a key figure in the team’s plans for future playoff pushes.
