It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Rams are still interested in filling out their defensive line in the wake of Aaron Donald’s retirement. Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are ascending talents, but the depth and size of the room is still a work in progress.
With Bobby Brown III an impending free agent, the Rams’ depth gets that much thinner up front.
One solution has recently emerged that could be a potential solution to help the Rams acquire a stout defender to shore up one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season.
Recently, the New England Patriots allowed defensive tackle Davon Godchaux available for trade.
Godchaux is one of the best run defenders in the NFL, finishing 2024 9th in the league in Points Saved per SportsInfoSolutions.
He plays with very good play strength and instincts to shut down runs inside and is very good at shedding blockers to disrupt rushing lanes. It’s nearly impossible to move Godchaux up front as well, even with double teams in front of him. While he isn’t an elite athlete by any stretch, Godchaux makes up for it with terrific effort and motor, constantly in pursuit of the ball carrier through the whistle.
One aspect that might be the most appealing part of this trade is that Godchaux hasn’t missed a game since 2020, playing every game for the Patriots in four seasons with the team.
Godchaux would be a relatively cheap addition as well. Nose tackles don’t command a particularly lucrative trade market and he could likely be had for a low Day 3 pick, something the Rams have plenty of.
After the trade, the Rams would be on the hook for just a $5M cap hit in 2025 and an $8.5M hit in 2026 (2026 holds no guaranteed money). Both of those figures are likely cheaper than what Bobby Brown III could potentially sign for in the offseason as well.
In LA, Godchaux could slide right into the nose tackle spot and give the Rams a much-needed boost in their run defense. With the team running the most 3-4 snaps in the league, they need that kind of difference-maker up front to withstand double teams and keep their linebackers clean in the run game, something they struggled with in 2024.
For a cheap contract and trade package, the Rams could add one of the best run stuffers in the league. If they are serious about pushing for another Super Bowl with Stafford, this would be a wise addition to their roster.