Saints To Trade DT Davon Godchaux To Jaguars

Davon Godchaux is being traded from the Saints to Jacksonville, as first reported by The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero. His arrival will offer the Jags with another option along the defensive interior. The need for DT reinforcements increased after DaVon Hamilton suffered a season-ending quad tear.

New Orleans will receive a 2028 sixth-round pick in return, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. He adds that selection will move to the 2027 draft if Jacksonville acquires a sixth-rounder via a separate trade or through the compensatory pick formula. In any case, the Jags will pay a much smaller price than they did with this morning’s other trade involving an NFC South team.

The list of available D-tackles was thinned out by previous trades including DeForest Buckner and Jeffery Simmons. Jacksonville was unable to acquire either of those veterans from an AFC South rival, but the Hamilton injury increased the need for a move of some kind to be made. This deal will not carry a significant cost in terms of draft capital or finances. Godchaux is attached to a veteran minimum salary of $1.3MM, and he is a pending free agent.

The 10th-year veteran played in Miami and New England from 2017-24. Godchaux was then traded by the Patriots to the Saints last March. He was a key figure along New Orleans’ defensive front in 2025, logging a snap share of 42% and totaling 43 tackles. This season, though, Godchaux has seen his playing time and production diminish. He will look to rebound on one of the AFC’s top teams down the stretch.

Jacksonville currently ranks second in the NFL in terms of scoring defense. The team’s strong play against the run (89 yards allowed per game on the ground) has played a key role, and DC Anthony Campanile’s unit will look to remain stout in that regard heading into the playoffs. Godchaux, who turns 32 on Wednesday, will not be tasked with making an impact in a pass rush capacity but he should be able to help against the run.

The Bates and Godchaux acquisitions will use up most of Jacksonville’s remaining cap space as the team eyes a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Saints’ win on Sunday leaves them with a record of 3-5. Godchaux was among the veterans who have been mentioned as trade candidates in New Orleans’ case, so it will be interesting to see how the team proceeds ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.