Jaguars Continue Aggressive Push With DT Godchaux Addition

With just over 24 hours remaining prior to the trade deadline, the Jacksonville Jaguars added Jessie Bates III on Monday morning, adding a 3-time NFL All-Pro safety to the roster.

Just hours later, General Manager James Gladstone continued his all-in push, acquiring veteran defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints for a 2028 sixth-round pick.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted that the pick could become a 2027 sixth-rounder instead if the Jaguars acquire a compensatory pick next spring.

Entering the days before the looming trade deadline, adding a safety and an interior lineman were the two areas that Jacksonville needed the most.

Now, with Bates and Godchaux joining the ranks, the Jaguars are making it clear that they are making a Super Bowl push.

Godchaux started in the Saints' opening five games before moving to a reserve role for his past three appearances.

His production has been minimal, recording just 15 total tackles and one tackle for loss.

But, he remains a proven veteran in the trenches, and should help alleviate the recent loss of DaVon Hamilton.

Hamilton, who suffered a torn quad against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, had helped anchor a Jaguars defense giving up the least rushing yards per game in the NFL this season.

Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has experience with Godchaux from their time together with the Miami Dolphins in 2020, and should be able to utilize the tenth-year man more than he was being employed with New Orleans.

With Jacksonville already having so much success this season, it is encouraging to see the front office staying aggressive and making a push towards the AFC's No. 1 seed.

Heading into the back half of the regular season, this added depth in the trenches will prove valuable.

Godchaux is not the same player he was in his prime with the New England Patriots, but his experience in big games and notability with Campanile is encouraging.

The Jaguars are in the middle of one their easier stretches on the schedule, playing the struggling Tennessee Titans two times over the next three weeks.

Allowing Godchaux to get acclimated against a team that the Jaguars should have a big advantage against will allow the defense to mold around their two new additions.

The Jaguars will be tested on the ground, however, as Titans running back Tony Pollard has turned it on in his past two weeks, rushing for an average of 123 yards and five total touchdowns.