Davon Godchaux Bio
Davon Montel Godchaux is an American professional football defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and listed at 330 pounds, he plays on the interior of the defensive line and wears jersey number 92. He played college football for the LSU Tigers from 2014 to 2016 before launching his NFL career.
Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft, Godchaux went on to spend four seasons in Miami and four seasons with the New England Patriots before joining the New Orleans Saints in 2025. Across his professional career, he has been a run-stopping presence in the trenches.
Early Life and Background
Davon Montel Godchaux was born on November 11, 1994, in Plaquemine, Louisiana, in the United States. A native of that small river-town community, he grew up in a region where high school football holds deep cultural significance, and he developed his frame and physical style of play there from a young age.
He attended Plaquemine Senior High School, where he starred as a defensive lineman. As a junior in 2012, he compiled 60 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks, earning first-team All-State honors for Class 4A. In the season opener of his senior year, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, which forced him to miss the rest of the season. Despite the injury, he was honored as a U.S. Army All-American and attended the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
Regarded as a four-star recruit, Godchaux was ranked as the No. 22 defensive end prospect by ESPN. He chose LSU over offers from Mississippi, Auburn, and UCLA, among others, setting the stage for his move to the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Godchaux arrived at LSU as one of the more highly regarded defensive line recruits in the Tigers’ 2014 class. He took over a starting role after just three games into his true freshman season, an unusually fast transition that signaled the coaches’ confidence in his size, strength, and technique. He spent his three college seasons playing as a rotating player at defensive end in LSU’s 3-4 defensive scheme.
As a junior in 2016, he recorded 62 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, one pass defensed, and two fumble recoveries, putting together his most complete statistical season. The day after the 2016 Citrus Bowl, he declared for the 2017 NFL draft, completing his path from Plaquemine standout to professional prospect.
Davon Godchaux Career
Early Career (2017-2020)
Godchaux was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round, 178th overall, in the 2017 NFL draft. He missed portions of his pre-draft process after pulling a hamstring at the NFL Combine, which kept him from completing all of the on-field drills, but his college production helped secure a roster spot. He went on to play his first four professional seasons in Miami, where he developed into a reliable interior presence.
His Dolphins tenure included a stretch in 2020 that tested his durability. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 5, 2020, and activated two days later. Later that season, on October 16, 2020, he was placed on injured reserve, closing out the final chapter of his time in South Florida.
New England Patriots Era (2021-2024)
On March 23, 2021, Godchaux signed a two-year contract with the New England Patriots, beginning a four-year run in the AFC East. He quickly became a fixture in the Patriots’ defensive line rotation, lining up primarily as a defensive tackle in a scheme that asked interior linemen to anchor against the run and occupy blockers.
He signed a contract extension with New England on July 27, 2022, cementing his role in the team’s long-term plans. On July 31, 2024, Godchaux and the Patriots agreed to a two-year, $16.5 million contract extension, a deal that reflected his value as a veteran run defender. He finished his Patriots tenure having started the majority of his games in Foxborough.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025-Present)
On March 12, 2025, Godchaux was traded to the New Orleans Saints, returning him to his home state of Louisiana. The move paired him with a Saints defense that was looking to add experience and physicality along the interior line. His arrival also gave him the opportunity to play close to where he grew up.
Through the 2025 season, Godchaux has continued to serve as a starting defensive tackle for New Orleans, contributing against the run and helping set the edge on early downs. He wears number 92 for the Saints and remains an active member of the roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Godchaux’s professional milestones include being a fifth-round draft pick who outlasted many players selected ahead of him, signing two contract extensions with the Patriots, and being traded back to his home state to play for the Saints. As of the 2025 season, his career NFL statistics include 472 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 pass deflections.
Davon Godchaux Career Wins
Davon Montel Godchaux’s professional value has been measured less in individual win totals and more in his consistency as a starting defensive tackle. Across his time with the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots, and the New Orleans Saints, he has been a steady presence on the interior of the defensive line.
Defensive Tackle Highlights
Godchaux’s career has been built on run defense and pocket disruption rather than headline-grabbing sack numbers. His statistical profile through the 2025 season shows 472 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 pass deflections, totals that reflect a high-volume, every-down role.
Davon Godchaux Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Godchaux is a native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, and has often spoken about the role his hometown played in his football upbringing. His path from Plaquemine Senior High School to LSU and then the NFL reflects a steady, locally rooted support system that carried him from a small Louisiana community to the professional ranks.
Personal Life
In 2022, Godchaux began dating former model Chanel Iman. The couple announced their engagement on May 30, 2023. Iman gave birth to their daughter, Capri, on September 19, 2023. The couple married in a civil ceremony in New York on January 10, 2024, then celebrated with family in the Caribbean with an additional ceremony. Godchaux also has a son from a previous relationship.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Davon Montel Godchaux’s first year with the New Orleans Saints after his March 12, 2025 trade from the New England Patriots. The move brought him back to Louisiana, where he starred at Plaquemine Senior High School and LSU before turning professional. He has slotted in as a starting defensive tackle for a defense looking to stiffen its run defense.
Through the 2025 season, Godchaux has continued to add to his career tackle total while helping anchor the Saints’ interior line. His role remains that of an every-down run defender, with occasional pass-rush opportunities on third downs. He has also served as a veteran voice in a defensive line room that has featured several younger players.
Looking ahead, Godchaux’s outlook in New Orleans centers on stability, leadership, and finishing his career close to home. With a contract that runs through the current period, he is positioned to remain a central figure on the Saints’ defense for the foreseeable future.
