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The New England Patriots, armed with the NFL’s largest salary cap space, made major moves on Monday to improve their defense. They reached agreements with defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis III, and linebacker Robert Spillane, according to a report from ESPN.
Patriots Bolster Defensive Unit
Milton Williams – DT
Williams agreed to a four-year, $104 million contract, with $63 million guaranteed, per ESPN. The 25-year-old is coming off a breakout season with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he recorded 5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and 7 tackles for loss in 2024.
His impact was most evident in Super Bowl LIX, where he sacked Patrick Mahomes twice, including a game-sealing strip sack that he recovered.
A third-round pick in 2021 out of Louisiana Tech, Williams played in a deep Eagles defensive line rotation alongside Fletcher Cox and Jalen Carter, starting 19 games over four seasons and totaling 11.5 sacks and 29 QB hits.
Carlton Davis III – CB
Davis, 28, signed a three-year, $60 million deal, including $34.5 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Traded to the Detroit Lions from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, Davis had a strong 2024 season, tallying 56 tackles and two interceptions before a season-ending jaw injury in Week 15 against Buffalo.
A second-round pick in 2018 out of Auburn, Davis has played seven NFL seasons, recording 11 interceptions, 84 passes defended, and 380 tackles.
Robert Spillane – LB
Spillane, 29, signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract, with $20.6 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
A tackling machine for the Las Vegas Raiders, he finished 2024 with 158 tackles, 14 QB pressures, and two sacks. He had eight games with 10+ tackles, including 16 stops in Week 17 against the Chargers.
Since joining the Raiders in 2023, Spillane has racked up 306 tackles—the fourth-most in the NFL during that span.
He originally signed with Tennessee as an undrafted free agent in 2018, when Mike Vrabel—now the Patriots’ head coach—was in his first year leading the Titans.
Patriots Address Offensive Line With Morgan Moses
The Patriots also strengthened their offensive line, agreeing to a three-year, $24 million deal with tackle Morgan Moses (maximum value of $28.5 million), per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
A reliable veteran, Moses started 14 games at right tackle for the Jets in 2024, ranking 32nd out of 65 qualified tackles in pass block win rate (89%).
At 34 years old, his durability has been a key trait, though he has missed six games over the past two seasons due to injuries. Last season, he battled a knee sprain and a wrist injury, even playing through pain after a pregame setback in Week 14.
This marks his second stint with the Jets, who acquired him from the Ravens in 2024. He previously spent seven seasons with Washington before joining Baltimore in 2022.
With these additions, the Patriots are aggressively reshaping their roster, particularly on defense, as they prepare for the 2025 season.
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This report used information from ESPN.
