Packers 2017 Draft: Interview with LSU DT Davon Godchaux

The pressures of raising a child, caring for a sick mother and the general struggles of life-long poverty on the crime-ridden streets of Plaquemine, LA. recently prompted a promising junior defensive lineman to leave his brothers at LSU early to set sail for the potential fame and fortune that comes with playing in the NFL.

At 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Davon Godchaux is one of a few SEC linemen with the physical skills to contribute early on at the next level. Yet, in many ways, he often finds his name unjustly omitted when other war daddies from Alabama, Florida and even Auburn are mentioned as the top-level prospects that can line up at various spots across a defense’s front seven.

But while media members are loathe to heap ample praise on the former Bayou Bengal, a number of NFL teams have reportedly been intrigued about Godchaux’s potential, as many of them, including the Eagles, Packers, Patriots, Steelers and Vikings among others, have all shown varying levels of interest in the 22-year-old.

From a production standpoint, the third-year junior has turned the corner as a pass rusher over his past two seasons with 6 and 6.5 sacks in 2015 and 2016 respectively while playing in every game over the span.

But while sacks alone don’t always tell the entire story, Godchaux didn’t accumulate his numbers by sheer happenstance. In fact, Pro Football Focus (PFF) deemed him as one the most efficient pass rushers in the college game by highlighting his 74 pressures, including 15 hits and 45 hurries, in his last 24 games wearing the Purple and Gold.

The aspiring pro’s explosiveness was on grand display in his 2015 matchup versus Texas Tech, where on one play Godchaux used his quick feet to run past the outside shoulder of the right guard untouched and dropped a helpless DeAndre Washington for a loss.

Though No. 57 undoubtedly benefited from the presence of elite edge rusher Arden Key while in Baton Rouge, his burst to the outside on many of the stunts he and his former teammate collaborated on is a physical trait that isn’t commonly seen among 300-pound defenders that reside in the trenches.

But if his exploits during the Texas Tech contest make him sound like more of a finesse player, one would be advised to look up footage of LSU’s 45-21 win over Auburn in 2015 that saw Godchaux win with power by consistently pushing blockers back with his violent hands.

Versatility is another quality that’s piquing the interest of several general managers considering that the one-time 4-star recruit played two seasons as a 3-technique in a 4-3 alignment and also lined up as a 5-technique in Dave Aranda’s 3-4 scheme. The aggressive defensive coordinator even went as far as placing Godchaux on the edge at times.

In short, this SEC product combines size and power with the ability to bend and change directions.

Those that argue how Godchaux was guilty of taking plays—or even games—off (see 2016 game versus Wisconsin) have a valid point, as well as anyone that may also bring up his propensity to be a step late at times off the snap.

To counterargue the former, however, you can go back to just about any draft and find several 300-pound down lineman that have been accused of saving themselves during games.

Average-sized people just find it hard to come to terms with the reality that big athletes with added girth are susceptible to running out of gas especially versus offenses that are quick to snap the ball and particularly in games taking place in the brutal humidity of the southeast.

And as for Godchaux’s occasional lack of quickness off the ball, that’s a technique-based flaw that can be remedied by NFL coaching.

What’s important here are the raw skills embodied by the nifty widebody, who incorporates effective rip and swim moves to get past opposing blockers.

Godchaux’s fit in Green Bay’s hybrid 3-4 scheme is most likely as a sub-package lineman on passing downs given his lateral quickness and overall suddenness. If the coaching staff can envision him being a two-gap space eater down the road, his role should only grow.

But chipping in 6-8 sacks as a rotational specialist on passing downs alone can help Dom Capers’ front seven immeasurably, as he would take over the Julius Peppers role in those situations while offering Mike Daniels much-needed help inside.

The bulky lineman touched base with Lombardi Ave following last week’s pro day in which Godchaux was determined to improve his combine numbers with a number of head coaches, defensive coordinators and position coaches in attendance.

The pride of Plaquemine comes off as an enthusiastic individual that is extremely confident about his chances of thriving in the pros.

In addition, Godchaux is a devoted family man who revealed his close relationship with his mother, while also mentioning the importance he places on his role as a father. Unlike others that have entered the draft early, this underclassman made sure to complete the requirements for kinesiology degree before entering the NFL.

Here is the fledgling disruptive force in his own words.