After eight NFL seasons, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux still is able to look back and pinpoint a significant reason for his longevity, and the map leads back to his three years and 37 games (34 starts) at LSU from 2014-16.
He learned versatility playing for the Tigers, and that versatility was one of the reasons the New Orleans Saints acquired the Plaquemine, La., native in a trade with New England.
Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who was the Chargers' head coach from 2021-23, remembered facing Godchaux and the Patriots and Staley knew Godchaux was what Staley was looking for as he adds personnel to a Saints defense that seeks improvement against the run and overall.
Godchaux addressed the media Monday in his first news conference as a Saint.
"He saw me play nose, saw me play shade, saw me play 2 (technique) – I can play wherever on defense," Godchaux said of Staley. "One thing at LSU when I was there, Coach Ed Orgeron always told me: The more you can do, stay versatile. Like, play with your left hand down, play with your right hand down.
"And I thank him for that today because now you see in this day and age in this league they ask you to play multiple positions. I know in New England we played multiple; (Coach) Bill (Belichick) wanted you to play everything. If you were 300 pounds he wanted you to play five technique, he wanted you to play nose – everything. The more you can do, the better you can be in this league and I take pride in that, being a versatile guy."
Godchaux has been a run-stuffer in the NFL, with 429 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his first eight seasons.
Doing the dirty work has been his forte, and he doesn't mind the sacrifice.
"I've made a lot of plays in this league, made a lot of tackles," he said. "But when it's my time to take up a double team, I can take it up. I don't look at it like eating up blocks all the time because there are going to be a lot of one-on-one situations that I do have to make the plays. When that time comes I'll make sure I'll be prepared.
"I can play nose, I can play four (technique), I can play five (technique). I can play it all. I'm a versatile player and I'm excited to bring that."
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Get an all-access look at New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Goodchaux's first day in New Orleans after being traded to the team on Monday, March 17, 2025.
