The New England Patriots' trade of defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints has officially come full circle, and now we know exactly what the Patriots got in return.
It was a season of transformation for the Patriots under head coach Mike Vrabel. With a revamped defense and second-year quarterback Drake Maye lighting up the scoreboard, New England made a surprising run all the way to the Super Bowl. Though they came up just short of the championship, the foundation Vrabel built in his first season turned the Patriots back into legit contenders.
Looking back at last offseason, the Patriots were busy reshaping their roster after bringing in a new coaching staff. On the defensive side, they made splashy moves—signing Milton Williams to a four-year deal, taking a chance on K'Lavon Chaisson, and adding Khyiris Tonga, Harold Landry, and Cory Durden to the front line. These additions made some familiar faces expendable, including Godchaux.
Godchaux had signed a two-year, $18 million extension the previous summer, set to count $8.33 million against the cap. While part of that was tied to his signing bonus (which would stay on New England's books regardless), he was still a pricey piece—especially given his age and limited versatility. So in March 2025, the Patriots shipped him to New Orleans.
Now that the 2026 draft has wrapped up, the final trade details are clear. Here's what the Patriots received: a 2026 seventh-round pick (No. 224 overall).
On paper, a seventh-rounder more than a year away doesn't look like much. But context matters. The alternative was simply releasing Godchaux—getting nothing in return for a player who no longer fit the new defensive scheme. By trading him, New England at least got some draft capital.
And the Patriots didn't stop there. A few months later, they packaged that very same seventh-round pick—along with safety Kyle Dugger—in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The return? A 2026 sixth-round pick. So what started as a modest return for Godchaux ultimately helped the Patriots flip two players who didn't fit their system into a more valuable asset.
It's a classic example of how smart roster management can turn a seemingly small move into something bigger down the line. For Patriots fans, it's just another reminder that every pick—even a seventh-rounder—can be a stepping stone to building a winner.