The New England Patriots are reportedly trading Davon Godchaux — and not getting much in return.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are dealing the starting defensive lineman to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
The 30-year-old Godchaux spent the last four seasons as a starter in New England, having established himself as a run defender. But with the new Mike Vrabel regime in place, it appeared as though Godchaux’s time in New England had run out.
Godchaux was set to carry a cap hit of $8.3 million in 2025, the fifth-highest mark on the team. The Patriots don’t save much under the cap with the deal. After taking a big dead-money hit, New England cleared less than $1 million of cap space this year.
The trade has less to do with cap space and more to do with fit. Godchaux is a run-stuffer. With Vrabel running the show now, the team will be looking for a different mold of defensive tackle in the middle of its defense.
Late last month, the Patriots permitted Godchaux’s agent to seek a trade. This comes before Godchaux had truly begun to play under the two-year extension he signed before the start of last season.
Given Godchaux’s age and hefty contract, it was unlikely that the Patriots would get much in return when trading the defensive lineman. Back at the scouting combine, league execs told MassLive that Godchaux could fetch a draft pick in the Round 5-7 range.
“It’s tough to get a decent pick and expect a team to take that contract,” an AFC exec said.
A native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, Godchaux is now set to play for his hometown team. Meanwhile, the Patriots are now clear to rehaul their defensive line ahead of a 2025 NFL Draft that’s believed to be well-stocked at the position.
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