The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a trade with the New Orleans Saints to acquire defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, just hours after adding All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III. According to The Athletic, the Jaguars will send a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick to the Saints; that pick can become a 2027 sixth-rounder if certain conditions are met. Jacksonville currently does not own a 2027 sixth-round pick after moving it in an August trade with the New York Giants for offensive lineman Daniel Faalele. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that if the conditions are satisfied, any 2027 sixth-round pick the Jaguars eventually acquire would go to New Orleans. Spotrac projects the Jaguars to receive two sixth-round compensatory picks in 2027.
Defensive Need Addressed
The move fills a gap created by starting tackle DaVon Hamilton's torn quad suffered in Week 8. Jacksonville's defense ranks fifth against the run at 89.3 yards allowed per game and second in scoring at 15.1 points per game. The unit is considered Super Bowl-caliber, and the Godchaux acquisition aims to prevent any drop-off while the Jaguars pursue the AFC's No. 1 seed.
Godchaux's Profile
Godchaux, a 2017 fifth-round pick, is joining his fourth NFL team. He has not recorded a sack since 2022 but remains proficient against the run, with 15 tackles this season including one tackle for loss. He started five of the Saints' first eight games and could slot directly into the Jaguars' lineup ahead of their Week 10 road game against the Tennessee Titans. Coach Liam Coen may insert Godchaux immediately or use him in a rotation with Ruke Orhorhoro, while Arik Armstead remains the other starting interior defensive lineman.
Trade Grades
Analysts graded the trade a B+ for Jacksonville: General Manager James Gladstone plugged two defensive holes ahead of the deadline, and the conditional pick traded is one the Jaguars do not yet own, a savvy negotiation. The Saints received a B: they own the league's fourth-worst run defense, so Godchaux's departure is not a major loss, and they recoup a conditional sixth-rounder after giving up a seventh-rounder to acquire him from the New England Patriots a year ago.
