TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – The New England Patriots acquired cornerback Duane Starks from the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday in exchange a third-round draft pick this year.

The teams also will exchange fifth-round picks as part of the deal.

Starks signed a five-year, $23 million free agent contract with the Cardinals in 2002, leaving the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

In 25 games over three seasons, 18 of them starts, Starks had 119 tackles, five interceptions, 19 passes defended, two fumble recoveries and a sack.

The Cardinals, already far under the NFL salary cap, save about $1.6 million on the deal.

The Patriots recently released veteran cornerback Ty Law, who missed much of last season and the entire postseason with an injury. New England won its third Super Bowl in four years playing mostly with inexperienced fill-ins at corner.

AP-ES-03-03-05 2135EST