The New Orleans Saints are very close to first place in the NFC South, but they are also a 3-5 team that may need to sell some veterans to build for the future. Mickey Loomis knew the Jacksonville Jaguars needed a defensive tackle, and that was parlayed into a trade involving Davon Godchaux. Rookie Christen Miller's time is finally here.
The Louisiana-born LSU alum was traded to the Jaguars in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round pick that could turn into a 2027 sixth-rounder should Jacksonville acquire one. The Jaguars needed to get defensive line depth after standout tackle DaVon Hamilton was lost for the season with an injury, and they responded by taking Godchaux off New Orleans' hands.
Miller has played sparingly for New Orleans despite Loomis, head coach Kellen Moore, and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley coming together to make him the No. 42 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The time to keep him on ice has ended, and Miller could make the Saints look foolish for waiting as long as they did.
New Orleans Saints' Davon Godchaux trade could free Christen Miller
Godchaux was ranked a pitiful 122nd out of 127 qualified defensive linemen this year, recording just one pressure all year long. Godchaux had long been able to ward off questions about his pass rush upside due to his run defense, but the former Dolphins and Patriots lineman is now regressing in that area as well.
Not only was Miller a tremendous athlete at Georgia, but his calling card was being able to eat up space and shut down the running game. With only four sacks in four years, the pass rush is still a work in progress. However, the Saints were getting nothing from Godchaux in that regard, so they aren't missing much by leaning on the young gun.
Christen Miller could improve the New Orleans Saints' run defense
Miller has only played in parts of four games this season, recording five tackles. Considering how New Orleans has been willing to let many of their young players go out there and take lumps, playing it safe with Miller has been unusual. The Godchaux trade at least vacates snaps for him.
That selection is hardly going to be a prized asset in the future, but they managed to land a pick for a player who was not playing well into a pick that could bring in some new blood down the line. Miller, meanwhile, can show the Saints that he can be an anchor on a defensive line that needs long-term contributors.
If he fails, the Saints could look to the 2027 NFL Draft to find their new defensive cornerstone. One of Ole Miss' Will Echoles or Tennessee's Xavier Gilliam could be at the top of Loomis' Godchaux replacements list.
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