The [New England Patriots](https://www.patspulpit.com/) opened Monday with a bang. Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who has been with the team since 2021 and has started 68 total games over the last four seasons, has been traded to the [New Orleans Saints](https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/).
The move comes after Godchaux was permitted to seek a trade partner. In ended up netting New England a seventh-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Instant grade: Patriots trade Davon Godchaux to Saints
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**Bernd Buchmasser:** Godchaux’s future with the team was already uncertain even before his trade request, so the move does not come as a major surprise. Neither does the compensation, nor that the 30-year-old is headed to his hometown team. It’s about as run-of-the-mill a trade as you can find, which is not a bad thing either: New England creates cap space, removes a player no longer deemed a fit, and gets something back. | _Grade:_ _**C**_
**Matt St. Jean:** A seventh-round pick a year from now is about the lowest possible return you can get, but it was clear both sides wanted something new. The Patriots move on from someone who was no longer a fit for their scheme or culture and free up significant cap space next year in the process. | _Grade:_ _**C**_
**Pat Lane:** We all knew that Mike Vrabel is about the culture in the locker room, and Godchaux didn’t seem to fit that vision after last year. The Patriots got almost nothing back for him, but the Saints did eat a little of the money that the Patriots would have had to pay if they cut him, so that was helpful. It doesn’t really move the needle, but shows Vrabel’s willingness to move off a player because of the locker room fit. | _Grade:_ _**C+**_
With Godchaux headed to the Big Easy, the Patriots’ interior defensive line is down to six players: Christian Barmore, Keion White, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Jaquelin Roy, Eric Johnson and Marcus Harris. In addition, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Daniel Ekuale are both headed for unrestricted free agency.
The Patriots are expected to be actively involved in the defensive tackle market in free agency.
_What do you think about the trade, though? Do you like it? Do you not? Please head to the comment section to discuss._