Jaguars Acquire Davon Godchaux From Saints for a Sixth Round Pick Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Jacksonville Jaguars are acquiring veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints, according to a report by Tom Pelissero of The Ringer carried by USA Today. Jacksonville is sending a 2028 sixth round pick to New Orleans for Godchaux, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, and the pick could become a 2027 sixth round pick if the Jaguars acquire one, Jacksonville.com and Saints Wire reported.

The second Jaguars trade of the day

Acquiring Godchaux was Jacksonville's second trade on Monday, November 9. Earlier in the day the Jaguars traded for Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III, a deal Orbit Post covers separately. The Godchaux trade comes ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline on Tuesday, November 10 at 4 p.m. ET, and it addresses a clear need on the defensive line rather than adding depth at a stocked position.

Filling the Hamilton void

Godchaux is expected to help fill the nose tackle void left by DaVon Hamilton, whose season ended with a torn quadriceps injury in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville.com and USA Today reported. Hamilton had been Jacksonville's primary nose tackle, and his injury left the middle of the defensive line short of a proven run defender for the rest of the season. Orbit Post covers Hamilton's injury separately.

Godchaux fits that role by profile. He is listed at 6 foot 3 and 330 pounds, and USA Today described his career as that of a run stuffer in the middle of the line. At 31, he gives Jacksonville an experienced option to place in front of opposing running games while the team adjusts to life without Hamilton.

Godchaux's career to date

Godchaux is a 10 year NFL veteran who has appeared in 145 games with the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots and Saints since he was a fifth round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, USA Today reported. The LSU product has recorded 487 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his career to date. He played college football at LSU from 2014 to 2016, played for the Patriots from 2021 to 2024, and was traded to the Saints in 2025, Jacksonville.com reported. He restructured his contract with the Saints before this season and is making the league minimum.

In 2026 Godchaux has appeared in eight games for the Saints and recorded 15 total tackles and one tackle for loss, according to NFL Trade Rumors. Those are rotational numbers, and Jacksonville is trading for fit and experience at a position of need, at the cost of a future sixth round pick.

What it means for New Orleans

In New Orleans the move opens snaps for younger players. USA Today reported that third year pro Khristian Boyd is in line for a larger role, and that second round rookie Christen Miller could get additional playing time once he returns from a toe injury. For the Saints, the trade turns a veteran on a restructured minimum contract into a future draft pick and clears room in the rotation. For the Jaguars, it is a direct response to the Hamilton injury, made one day before the deadline closed off the option.