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Schefter: Carlton Davis III a big upgrade to Patriots’ defense (1:49)
Adam Schefter reports on Carlton Davis III signing a three-year contract with the Patriots. (1:49)
Mar 10, 2025, 12:49 PM ET
The New England Patriots are poised to add two players to bolster their defense Monday, agreeing to contracts with free agent cornerback Carlton Davis III and linebacker Robert Spillane.
Davis agreed to a three-year $60 million contract that includes $34.5 million fully guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Spillane agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract that includes $20.6 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Patriots also added to the offensive side, agreeing to a three-year, $24 million contract with offensive tackle Morgan Moses, a source told ESPN’s Mike Reiss. Moses’ deal has a maximum value of $28.5 million.
Davis, 28, was acquired by the Detroit Lions last year via trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 2024 third-round draft selection. The Lions also received a 2024 sixth-round and 2025 sixth-round draft selection as part of the deal.
He was extremely productive in 2024, finishing his season with 56 tackles and two interceptions, before suffering a season-ending jaw injury in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills.
He spent his first six seasons in Tampa Bay after being selected in the second round as the 63rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of Auburn.
Davis has 11 interceptions, 84 passes defended and 380 tackles in seven seasons.
In 2024, Spillane, 29, started all 17 games for the second straight season with the Las Vegas Raiders.
He had at least 10 tackles in eight contests last season. In a Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Spillane tallied 16 tackles in 75 defensive snaps.
Spillane finished the season with 158 tackles, 14 quarterback pressures and a pair of sacks. Since joining the Raiders in 2023, Spillane has collected 306 tackles, fourth most during that span, behind Zaire Franklin (Indianapolis Colts), Bobby Wagner (Seattle Seahawks/Washington Commanders) and Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens).
The 6-foot-1, 229-pound Spillane signed with the Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2018, when now-Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was in his first year as head coach with Tennessee. Spillane played in two games for the Titans before getting waived. In 2019, Spillane signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During Spillane’s four-year stint with the Steelers, he played a reserve role, starting in 16 of his 50 career games with the club.
Overall, Spillane has totaled 497 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 6 interceptions and 19 passes defended in 86 career games (50 starts).
Moses started 14 games at right tackle for the New York Jets last season, finishing 32nd out of 65 qualified tackles in pass-block win rate (89%, the NFL average). At 34, he has lost some of his lateral quickness, but he’s a savvy veteran with a polished technique.
Durability is his strong suit, though Moses has displayed signs of wearing down the last two seasons. He missed three games last year (knee sprain) and three games with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 (torn pectoral).
Before that, Moses went eight straight seasons (mostly with Washington) without missing a single game. He’s known for his toughness.
When Moses sprained an MCL last season, he slept in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to expedite the healing process. He wound up missing less time than anticipated. Late in the year, he injured his left wrist in pregame warmups in Week 14, took a painkilling shot and played the first half before the pain became too great. Nevertheless, he started the following week despite significant swelling and discomfort.
Last season was his second stint with the Jets, who acquired him in a March 2024 trade with the Ravens. He signed with the Jets in 2021 after being released by Washington after seven seasons, then went on to start two seasons for the Ravens at right tackle.
ESPN’s Eric Woodyard, Ryan McFadden and Mike Reiss contributed to this report.
