CAMP SPOTLIGHT: DAVON GODCHAUX

There were some big-time contract extensions around the NFL in the month of July, most notably those signed by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and defensive tackle Chris Jones as well as Titans running back Derrick Henry.

- ALAIN POUPART 

There were no such big deals for the Dolphins because their two best players, cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Byron Jones, already got huge contracts — Howard with his extension last year and Jones with his free agent deal this spring.

But there will come a time when the Dolphins will have to start thinking about giving contract extensions to those players headed for free agency in a few months that they would prefer keeping around. One such player is defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. Since arriving as a fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, he has emerged as a leader on and off the field for the Dolphins, but he’s heading into the final year of his rookie contract.

That means Godchaux will become an unrestricted free agent during the 2021 offseason unless he gets an extension before then or unless the Dolphins place the transition or franchise tag on him.

Godchaux has proven himself valuable to the Dolphins, starting every game along the defensive line the past two seasons. In fact, Godchaux was the only Dolphins player to start all 16 games in 2019.

Off the field, Godchaux was the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award based on all the charitable work he’s done through his Chaux Down Foundation. Based on the team’s recent history of rewarding young players with contract extensions, it certainly would appear the Dolphins would want to keep Godchaux around.