Report: Saints agree to trade DT Davon Godchaux to Jaguars

The Saints are nearing a deal to send starting defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a source with knowledge of the situation reported by NOLA.com. The trade comes hours after Jacksonville acquired All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, making it the team's second defensive move of the day. Godchaux's snaps had dramatically declined in recent weeks despite retaining his starting status, prompting New Orleans to move on from the 10-year veteran.

Jacksonville will send a conditional 2028 sixth-round pick to New Orleans, according to CBS Sports citing The Athletic. That pick can become a 2027 sixth-rounder if the Jaguars acquire a sixth-rounder via a compensatory pick or another trade. ESPN's Adam Schefter noted that if the conditions are met, any 2027 sixth-round pick Jacksonville eventually acquires would go to the Saints. The Jaguars do not currently own a 2027 sixth-round pick after moving it in an August trade with the Giants for offensive lineman Daniel Faalele.

The Jaguars lead the AFC South at 6-2 and have been searching for defensive tackle help since DaVon Hamilton suffered a torn quad in Week 8. The injury opened a spot in the middle of Jacksonville's defensive front. Godchaux, who started five of New Orleans' first eight games, could slot directly into the lineup ahead of the Week 10 road game against the Tennessee Titans. Coach Liam Coen could either insert him immediately or use him off the bench behind Ruke Orhorhoro, with Arik Armstead remaining the other starting interior defensive lineman.

Godchaux has played in only 29.8 percent of the Saints' defensive snaps in 2026, down from 41.5 percent last season, per NOLA.com. He owns 15 tackles on the year with one tackle for loss and has not recorded a sack since 2022, according to CBS Sports. New Orleans first acquired him from the New England Patriots for a seventh-round pick in 2025, envisioning him as a run-stopping nose tackle for Brandon Staley's defense. He started 19 of 25 games with the Saints and made a pivotal fourth-down goal-line stop in Sunday's 23-22 win over Cleveland.

This marks the second straight year the clubs have traded with each other. Last year, New Orleans sent defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to Jacksonville in exchange for center Luke Fortner. The teams also held a joint practice together this summer. Godchaux is headed to his fourth team since entering the league as a fifth-round pick in 2017. Jacksonville's defense ranks fifth against the run at 89.3 yards allowed per game and second in scoring defense at 15.1 points per game, while the Saints own the fourth-worst run defense in the NFL.