Former Auburn Tigers cornerback Carlton Davis is returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On the heels of quarterback Tom Brady’s return to the team, Davis signed a three-year, 45 million dollar deal to remain with the Bucs at the start of Monday’s legal tampering period. The deal was done at a bit of a discount from the five-year, 82.5 million dollar deal that fellow cornerback free agent JC Jackson got from the Los Angeles Chargers, and the move keeps Davis paired with another former Auburn cornerback, Jamel Dean, in Tampa Bay.
Davis’ time in Auburn was fruitful for the Tigers. He had 138 tackles and three interceptions in the 38 games he played in at Auburn. He boasted numerous awards as a Tiger, too, being named a first-team All-American, and first-team All-SEC player in his final year at Auburn. Davis and Dean played with each other at Auburn as well, with Dean taking starting reps during Davis’ last year with the program.
That exceptional play continued once he arrived in Tampa Bay. Davis has struggled with potential interceptions bouncing off his hands, but that hasn’t overshadowed his stellar coverage skills and ball awareness that made him a crucial part of Tampa’s Super Bowl-winning campaign in 2020 and a top-five free agent in the eyes of many. Davis won’t be going anywhere, though, and the Bucs will continue to draw upon his talent in their attempt to win a second Super Bowl in three years.
Tampa Bay is expected to resign its CB Carlton Davis, per sources, accomplishing one of the franchise’s primary off-season goals.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2022