Who is the Saints’ newest acquisition?
Earlier this month, the New Orleans Saints agreed to trade a 2026 seventh-round NFL Draft pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Davon Godchaux, a defensive tackle entering his ninth season.
Trade: the New England Patriots have agreed to send DT Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2026 seventh-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Godchaux attended high school in Plaquemine, La., before playing at LSU. He now returns to Louisiana once the trade can be… pic.twitter.com/cn4Kfqv1sG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025
The Saints will be Godchaux’s third NFL team. Previously, he spent four years in Miami with the Dolphins (2017-2020) and four years with the Patriots (2021-2024).
So, who is the Saints newest DT?
HE HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE SAINTS NEW DEFENSIVE STYLE
The Saints defense, led by new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, is expected to run a 3-4 defense. This is a change, as under Dennis Allen it ran a 4-3.
Godchaux’s experience at the 3-4 position was probably a key reason for the Saints interest in him. However, he also has experience in playing multiple defensive schemes, such as 4-3.
HE’S A LOUISIANA NATIVE
Davon Godchaux was born in Plaquemine, LA., in the autumn of 1994. Attending Plaquemine Senior High School, he quickly found prominence as a defensive player. According to MaxPreps, he made 89 tackles and 10.5 sacks in his 20 games for the Green Devils. He was honored as a U.S. Army All-American and attended the All-Star game. Additionally, according to his bio on LSU’s website, in his junior year of high school, he was named first-team All-State for Class 4A.
However, he unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury (torn ACL and LCL) early in his senior year, cutting his high school career short. Thankfully, he was still able to make it to college football, attending LSU from 2014-2016.
THE CHAUXDOWN FOUNDATION
Godchaux has always been involved in his community and is well-known for giving back.
Together with his wife, supermodel Chanel Iman, he has founded the Chauxdown Foundation. Per their website, their mission is to “provide at-risk youth with programming that supports their education, fitness, and overall well-being. Through different community events and mentorship programs, we provide the kids a safe space to participate.”
In 2019, the Miami Dolphins named him their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The WPMOY award has been called the league’s most honorable award and is characterized by recognizing a player’s excellence on and off the field.