Countdown to Kickoff: Davon Godchaux is the Saints Player of Day 92
Countdown to Kickoff: Davon Godchaux is the Saints Player of Day 92 Trading for Davon Godchaux could improve the Saints' run defense.
The New Orleans Saints sit 92 days away from their 2025 regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. New Orleans will also have a new player in jersey number 92 this season. Defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon wore 92 for the last two years. The number stays on the defensive line this year, but will now go to Davon Godchaux after an offseason trade. Today we take a closer look at Godchaux, our Saints Player of the Day.
Name (age): Davon Godchaux (30)
Davon Godchaux (30) Hometown: Plaquemine, La.
Plaquemine, La. Position: Defensive tackle
Defensive tackle Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 330 pounds
6-foot-3, 330 pounds Relative Athletic Score: 2.52
2.52 College: LSU Tigers
LSU Tigers Drafted: Round 5, 178th overall in 2017 (Miami Dolphins)
Round 5, 178th overall in 2017 (Miami Dolphins) NFL experience: 8 seasons
8 seasons 2025 salary cap hit: $1,944,000
An all-state defensive lineman at Plaquemine Senior High School in Louisiana, Godchaux stayed close to home with his choice of Louisiana State over recruiting pitches from other SEC powers. He'd become a starter midway through his freshman year, playing both end and inside for the LSU defense. Over his last two seasons with the Tigers, Godchaux had 12.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss.
The Miami Dolphins selected Godchaux with the 34th choice in Round 5 of a loaded 2017 draft. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie, starting five and playing over 50% of the defensive snaps. In four years with Miami, Godchaux had 3 sacks with 19 pressures and 12 tackles for negative yardage. He'd hit free agency in 2021, where he'd be signed by the New England Patriots. Godchaux played the last four seasons in New England. Over that time he'd have 2.5 sacks with 16 pressures and 8 tackles for loss while averaging around 60% of the defensive snaps.
New Orleans dealt a 2026 seventh round draft choice to the Patriots this offseason to acquire Godchaux. It's likely that he'll compete for the nose tackle spot in new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's 3-4 scheme. He'll have plenty of competition for a job. The Saints return tackles Bryan Bresee, Nathan Shepherd, Khalen Saunders, and Khristian Boyd. They also drafted Texas defensive tackle Vernon Broughton in the third round this spring.The Saints ranked an abysmal 31st against the run last year and 30th in overall defense. Staley was brought in to reverse those results. Trading for Davon Godchaux could give the Saints a run-stopping presence in the middle to tie up double-teams and clog inside rushing lanes.
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