Jaguars double down on defense, trade for Davon Godchaux

NEW ORLEANS, LA - SEPTEMBER 27: Davon Godchaux #92 of the New Orleans Saints looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Cesars Superdome on September 27, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Jacksonville Jaguars aren’t messing around.Just hours after agreeing a blockbuster trade for Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III, the Jaguars have returned to the negotiating table, acquiring New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux in a second significant defensive addition ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.According to reports, Jacksonville will send a 2028 sixth-round pick to New Orleans in exchange for the veteran defensive tackle. The selection could be upgraded to a 2027 sixth-round pick if the Jaguars acquire one through the compensatory selection process, or via another trade.It’s another relatively modest price for an experienced NFL starter, but the bigger picture is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: Jacksonville are going all-in.What does Davon Godchaux bring to Jacksonville?TRADE: Saints trading DT Davon Godchaux to the Jaguars. (via @CameronWolfe) pic.twitter.com/RstMWuJrZy— NFL (@NFL) November 9, 2026At 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, Godchaux brings some considerable bulk to the Jaguars’ defensive interior.The 31-year-old was originally selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, spending four seasons in South Florida before moving to New England in 2021. He subsequently spent four seasons with the Patriots before returning to his home state of Louisiana with the Saints in 2025.Godchaux has built a reputation as a run-stuffing defensive tackle, providing a sizeable presence in the middle of the defensive line. He isn’t somebody Jacksonville should expect to transform their pass rush, however.Across 144 career appearances, including 128 starts, he has recorded 486 tackles and 5.5 sacks. His value comes primarily from his ability to occupy blockers, hold his ground against the run and make life more difficult for opposing offenses between the tackles.There is an obvious need for that in Jacksonville. The Jaguars have lost defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton to a season-ending quadriceps injury, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of their defensive front. Godchaux provides an experienced replacement who can contribute immediately, rather than asking the coaching staff to rely exclusively on younger, less experienced options.His 2026 production hasn’t been particularly impressive, with 14 tackles in seven appearances for New Orleans and no sacks. There are legitimate questions about how much he has left to offer at this stage of his career.Nevertheless, Jacksonville isn’t acquiring Godchaux to be a superstar. They’re acquiring him to provide some much-needed depth and physicality at a position where they have been hit by injury.A familiar face for Anthony CampanileGodchaux's not much of a pass rusher, but you'll be hard pressed to find many better gap controllers in run defense. Very good combination of instincts, play strength, awareness, and competitive toughness. Should be instant impact run defender up the middle. https://t.co/sT8UNeAeu9— AJ Schulte (@AJSchulteFB) November 9, 2026There is another interesting aspect to this acquisition: Godchaux has previous experience working within a coaching staff led by Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.Campanile spent four seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ linebackers coach between 2020 and 2023. Godchaux was also in Miami from 2017 through 2020, meaning the pair overlapped during the 2020 season.That familiarity could prove useful as Godchaux makes the transition to Jacksonville. Campanile knows the type of player he is getting, while Godchaux should have some understanding of the defensive philosophy and coaching expectations that Jacksonville are trying to establish.It’s worth remembering that Campanile was coaching the linebackers rather than the defensive line in Miami, and their shared time was relatively brief. Godchaux was placed on injured reserve in October 2020 after appearing in five games. Still, there is a connection there, and the familiarity certainly won’t hurt when it comes to integrating a midseason acquisition.Campanile has already demonstrated his ability to build a formidable defensive unit in Jacksonville. Godchaux gives him another experienced body to work with as the Jaguars attempt to maintain that standard through the second half of the season.Jaguars trade grade: BThis is a sensible piece of business from Jacksonville.A sixth-round selection for a veteran defensive tackle with 128 career starts is a relatively small investment, particularly when the team has an immediate need at the position.Godchaux isn’t going to solve every problem on the defensive line, and his declining production this season means there is some risk attached to the acquisition. There’s also the faint sting of reality after star names like Jalen Carter and Christian Barmore were bandied around as potential options. However, Jacksonville isn’t paying a premium for a player who needs to develop. They’re bringing in somebody who has spent almost a decade in the NFL and understands the demands of playing defensive tackle at the highest level. The injury to Hamilton makes this move particularly understandable.It’s not a spectacular acquisition, but it addresses a genuine weakness without costing the Jaguars significant draft capital.The Jaguars are ALL INJags 2027 draft picks after acquiring Jessie Bates and Davon Godchaux today: Round 1Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 5 (projected comp pick)Round 6 (projected comp pick)Round 6 (projected comp pick)Round 7— Gus Logue (@gus_logue) November 9, 2026Perhaps the most significant part of this trade isn’t actually the player Jacksonville has acquired. It’s what the move represents. The Jaguars had already made a substantial statement with the Jessie Bates trade; a genuine difference-maker at safety who brings elite experience, ball skills and leadership to the back end of Campanile’s defense.Now, they’ve followed that up by addressing another defensive weakness with the acquisition of Godchaux. That’s two defensive reinforcements in a single day, with the Jaguars surrendering considerable future draft capital to improve their chances of competing right now.Jacksonville entered the deadline at 6-2, leading the AFC South and looking increasingly like a legitimate contender in the AFC.There is little point pretending these moves come without risk. Bates is in the final year of his contract, and Godchaux is a veteran whose best football may already be behind him. The Jaguars are also reducing their collection of future draft picks, limiting some of the flexibility they would otherwise have had.But this is what competing for a Super Bowl looks like. The Jaguars have a talented roster, an explosive offense under Liam Coen and a defense that has already demonstrated its ability to compete with the best in the league. They have identified weaknesses, recognised an opportunity and acted decisively to address them.The Bates acquisition was the headline move. Godchaux is the reinforcement that helps make the first deal even more meaningful. Jacksonville isn’t sitting back and hoping their current roster is good enough – they’re making sure of it. And with time still left on the trade deadline clock, don’t be surprised if the Jaguars aren’t finished just yet.