Davon

Godchaux

Russini notes that the 49ers are looking to add help on defense and the team is aware of Godchaux’s availability via trade. While it’s unclear if anything will materialize before Tuesday’s trade deadline, San Francisco certainly fits the mold as a team that wouldn’t mind taking on Godchaux’s salary and parting with draft picks given where the 49ers are in their contention window. Russini also notes that New England is open to trading receivers Tyquan Thornton and Kendrick Bourne as well as safety Kyle Dugger.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth “up to” $21 million and features $16.5 million in guarantees. Godchaux signed with the Patriots as a free agent in 2021 and has appeared in all 51 regular season games and the team’s lone playoff appearance. He has been a rotational lineman who sees the majority of his reps in run defense. Godchaux totaled 56 tackles, two TFLs, and one fumble recovery in 2023.

Godchaux joined the Patriots last offseason on a two-year deal after spending his first four years with the Dolphins, and the team obviously liked what they saw. This deal makes Godchaux one of the highest-paid run stuffers in the league.

The deal is worth “up to” $16 million, and includes $9 million guaranteed. The Pats are reversing the New England-to-Miami pipeline as they look to shore up their run defense. Godchaux is a load in the middle of the line, though he was limited to five games last season after tearing his biceps in October. Stout in the run game, 26-year-old Godchaux can also create some pressure up the middle. It could prove to be a shrewd early signing in what is going to be a more confusing market than usual because of the declining salary cap.

As expected. Godchaux sought a second opinion but was eventually moved to injured reserve to undergo season-ending surgery. He finishes 2020 with 16 tackles and two quarterback hits. Expect coach Brian Flores to replace him with both Zach Sieler and rookie Raekwan Davis.

He’ll get a second opinion on his injury before inevitably being moved to season-ending injured reserve. Godchaux has been impactful this year, totaling 16 tackles and two quarterback hits in Miami’s front-seven, but Zach Sieler’s emergence lightens the blow. Expect coach Brian Flores to demand more from rookie Raekwan Davis, too.

Godchaux (6’3/310) made 36 starts in only three seasons in Baton Route, tallying 19 career tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Godchaux was arrested for allegedly grabbing his ex-girlfriend’s hair and shoulder during the 2016 offseason, but the charges were dropped. Primarily a five-technique end in LSU’s 3-4, Godchaux flashed pass-rush promise but spent too much time on the ground and didn’t always give max effort. Best employed as a rotational penetrator, Godchaux profiles as a boom-bust prospect with growth potential but a low floor.

A low-floor prospect with pass-rush upside, Godchaux endured off-the-field and effort issues at LSU. Godchaux could eventually develop into a rotational pocket pusher behind Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips.

He has been working ahead of Jordan Phillips, a former second-round pick who has failed to live up to his draft status. Godchaux reportedly did not appear ready for a rookie role during the offseason program, but the Dolphins have to find someone to play opposite Ndamukong Suh. Even with Suh, the interior line looks like a trouble spot.

The Dolphins’ defensive tackle depth chart is wide open behind Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips, but longtime reporter Barry Jackson doesn’t expect either rookie to take immediate advantage. That leaves Nick Williams and Lawrence Okoye. It’s a trouble spot for a defense with several areas of uncertainty.