Patriots 90-Man Roster Spotlight: Davon Godchaux

The New England Patriots can have up to 90 players under contract during the offseason. Patriots Football Now will profile all 90 players (though there are currently 91 on the roster) over the upcoming months. Today’s featured player is defensive tackle Davon Godchaux.

Davon Godchaux

The Miami Dolphins selected Davon Godchaux in the fifth round (No. 178 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He played collegiately for the LSU Tigers, alongside future Patriots teammate Jalen Mills. He played 15 games as a rookie, recording 40 tackles. By 2018, his second season, Godchaux became a full-time starter for the Dolphins. The 2019 season was his most productive season in Miami. Godchaux started all 16 games and finished with 75 tackles and 2.0 sacks. Only Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro finished with more tackles (83) among NFL defensive linemen that season.

Davon Godchaux suffered a biceps injury in Week 5 of the 2020 season. It placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the year. At the time of his injury, Godchaux had played 52 of 53 career games, including 41 straight.

Also Read – Six More Extension Options for New England

The New England Patriots signed Godchaux as a free agent on March 23, 2021. The contract paid $15 million over two seasons. Godchaux agreed to a two-year extension worth $20.8 million before the 2022 season, locking him up through 2024.

Godchaux played in all 52 games (including the postseason) during his first three seasons in New England. He has proven both durable and productive, amassing 183 tackles. He is one of three defensive tackles to record at least 55 tackles in each of the past three seasons, joining DeForest Buckner (Colts) and Christian Wilkins (Dolphins).

Only 3 NFL defensive tackles have 55+ tackles in each of the past 3 seasons (2021-2023):

DeForest Buckner
Davon Godchaux
Christian Wilkins pic.twitter.com/PpPyzPpzG6

— Dan Kelley (@DanKelley66) April 9, 2024

Davon Godchaux played a career-high 685 defensive snaps in 2023.

Despite his solid production, Pro Football Focus has graded Godchux harshly throughout his NFL career. His three season-ending grades during his Patriots tenure have been 63.7, 53.1, and 50.2. For reference’s sake, a grade below 60.0 is considered the equivalent of a non-roster player based on PFF’s grading system. However, Godchaux has received solid grades for tackling (71.0 in 2023) and run defense (83.3 in 2022) so it does not necessarily gauge his impact accurately. He is not asked or expected to be a pass-rushing threat for the Patriots.

Contract Status

Davon Godchaux enters the final year of his contract extension with the New England Patriots. He carries an $11.8 million cap number for 2024 and is set to become an unrestricted free agent following the season.

Defensive Tackles Group

The New England Patriots defensive tackles have both talent and depth. In addition to Godchaux, the unit features Christian Barmore, the team’s best defensive player last season. Armon Watts came over from Pittsburgh during free agency. Daniel Eduale returns from a season-ending biceps injury in 2023. Trysten Hill, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., and Sam Roberts round out the unit.

Outlook for Davon Godchaux

Godchaux’s durability and production make him one of the most valuable run-stopping defensive tackles in football. His contract situation might make him one of the least happy campers in Foxboro for training camp. Godchaux was present at the team’s mandatory minicamp, wearing a helmet, but did not appear to participate in team activities. There is no question he’d like to get an extension done sooner than later. He was listed on PFN among six Patriots players who are solid candidates to receive an extension. That group included running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who agreed to an extension last week.

New England signed Godchaux under Bill Belichick’s watch. Belichick was calling the shots when Godchaux agreed to his contract extension after only one season with the Patriots. While Godchaux’s value appears obvious on the surface, it is difficult to say if the new leadership in New England (Eliot Wolf, Jerod Mayo, etc) views the defensive tackle’s value as favorable as the former boss did.

Davon Godchaux is a productive and dependable player. His roster situation and playing time are not in doubt as long as he’s healthy. However, his happiness is potentially based on his contract situation. If the New England Patriots do not plan on extending Godchaux before the season begins, trading him has to be a serious consideration for the team. With the “mood” in Foxboro hoping to improve in 2024, having an unhappy camper in the locker room works to nobody’s benefit. But if Godchaux stays, folks can expect him to play every running down, play in every game, produce roughly 60 tackles, and be an immovable object in the way of opposing offensive lines.