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2021 NFL free agency: Patriots sign defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to two-year, $16 million contract

Related: Patriots sign tight end Jonnu Smith to four-year, $50 million contract

Cincinnati Bengals v Miami Dolphins Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

The New England Patriots are traditionally among the more quiet teams in free agency, but they started this year’s legal tampering period by making two big additions. After already signing tight end Jonnu Smith to a four-year contract worth $50 million, the team, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, has now also added defensive tackle Davon Godchaux via a two-year, $16 million pact.

Godchaux originally arrived in the NFL as a fifth-round draft choice by the Miami Dolphins in 2017. A big-bodied defensive tackle — he is listed at 6-foot-3, 310 pounds — the LSU product went on to appear in 52 games for the organization over four seasons. Along the way, he registered 179 tackles as well as three sacks and a forced fumble. His 2020 season, however, ended in October after he underwent surgery on an injured biceps.

New England struggled to hold its gaps up front, with the run defense in particular getting exposed on numerous occasions during the 2020 campaign. The 26-year-old Godchaux, who has plenty of experience playing on the nose, should help the Patriots address one of their biggest weaknesses.

Poll

How would you grade the Patriots’ decision to sign Davon Godchaux?

This poll is closed

  • 24%
    A
    (554 votes)
  • 54%
    B
    (1251 votes)
  • 16%
    C
    (380 votes)
  • 2%
    D
    (56 votes)
  • 1%
    F
    (34 votes)
2275 votes total Vote Now