That was quick. Just hours after the Jacksonville Jaguars traded for Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III, they've taken another wild swing, this time for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the news that Jacksonville is acquiring Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints. Other outlets have since confirmed the report. Not long after his original tweet, Schultz reported that the Jags are sending a 2028 sixth-round pick to the Big Easy in return for Godchaux, adding that the selection can become a sixth in 2027 if they acquire another sixth-rounder. Basically gave up a ham sandwich in exchange for a boost on the interior defensive line.
Either way, Godchaux gives the Jags much-needed help at defensive tackle after losing DaVon Hamilton for the season.
Why the Jaguars traded for Davon Godchaux?
The Jaguars were in need of reinforcements at defensive tackle even before Davon Hamilton suffered a quad injury that ended his year prematurely. After losing Ham, their pursuit of help on the interior defensive line only intensified.
Arik Armstead has had his moments but has been wildly inconsistent, while rookie Albert Regis is off to a quiet start to his NFL career. Ruke Orhorhoro is also in the mix, but he's been a non-factor after landing in Duval via trade just before the draft.
With Godchaux in the mix, defensive tackle will no longer be the weakest link, which begs the question, what is Jacksonville getting in him?
A fifth-round pick in 2017, Godchaux spent his first four seasons with the Miami Dolphins before bolting to the New England Patriots in 2021. After four years in Foxborough, he landed with the Saints in 2025.
Now, Godchaux isn't going to give the defensive line a pass-rush boost, but he's going to bolster the run defense, something DaVon Hamilton excelled at.
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What's next for the Jaguars after trading for Davon Godchaux?
Before the Jaguars traded for Davon Godchaux, they were linked to Derrick Brown and Jalen Carter. Neither defensive tackle appears to be available, which may have prompted general manager James Gladstone to pivot. That said, nobody would bat an eye if Jacksonville still makes a push after trading for Godchaux.
Maybe the Jags won't be able to land Carter or Brown, but they could target Moro Ojomo, who's been the subject of trade chatter ahead of the deadline. Granted, it doesn't seem like the Philadelphia Eagles are open to trading him, but it's possible that they're just waiting for potential suitors to ramp up their asking price.
If that's the case, the Jags should sweeten their offer to land Ojomo to at last round out their interior defensive line.
The Jaguars seem to have addressed their two biggest needs ahead of the deadline by trading for Davon Godchaux and Jessie Bates, but knowing James Gladstone, don't be surprised if they throw a curveball and make another deal.
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