FOXBORO — The Patriots’ signing of cornerback Carlton Davis was the culmination of a years-long pursuit for Eliot Wolf.
New England’s executive vice president of player personnel previously had targeted Davis in the 2018 NFL Draft and at different points in his NFL career, he said Thursday, before finally landing him this offseason.
Davis, who spent five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one with the Detroit Lions, signed with the Patriots earlier this week on a three-year, $60 million contract that included $34.5 million guaranteed.
“I was in Cleveland when CD came out in the draft,” Wolf said. “I tried really, really hard to get us to pick him and got vetoed on that one. But ever since then, I’ve followed his career. When he’s been available, every time we’ve tried to get him. And now we were finally able to make that happen, so I’m excited about that.”
Wolf’s long-held interest was news to Davis, but the 28-year-old said he was excited to join the Patriots and team up with fellow cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who was arguably the best player on a talent-starved New England team last season.
“I’m excited, man. I’m excited,” Davis said in his introductory news conference. “He’s a young, great player. I’ve watched his film. Even when he was coming out of college, I watched his film. I always kind of do a little background check on the corners coming into the league. I guess it’s a competitive thing. But I liked his film. He’s long, he’s rangy, got good ball skills. He had a really good year last year, in my opinion.
“I didn’t watch too many Patriots defensive tapes, but from what I’ve seen on the highlights, he looked like he was playing good ball. I’m always eager to match up or just team up with guys who have similar skill sets as me and can help push me in practice and I can push them in practice. It’s always the iron that sharpens iron, so I’m excited for that. I’m excited to get to practice with him, get to know him a little bit, pick his brain and just kind of see how we can help each other grow.”
Davis recorded two interceptions and 11 passes defended last season while playing under new Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams in Detroit. His most productive season came in 2020, when he picked off four passes and defended 18 for a Tom Brady-led Bucs team that won the Super Bowl.
“Man, Tom was a great guy,” Davis said, reflecting on his time with the former Patriots quarterback. “I was just telling somebody earlier today that I learned so much from him, and I didn’t even have too many conversations with him. But just how he carried himself, how he went about the game. He impacted us on the field and off the field in Tampa, just from not just how serious he took practice and how focused he was, but also how diligent he was in his recovery. Everything he did to continue to be the same guy every day, taking care of his body. And he would give us little tips on what to do, just how to be a professional and how to be successful in this league and in this game.”
The Patriots also introduced new signees Milton Williams, Robert Spillane and Morgan Moses on Thursday.