Some rookies enter the NFL with fireworks and fanfare. Others show up with a hard hat and lunch pail — ready to go to work.
That’s what makes Darius Alexander such a perfect fit for a Giants team looking to build its identity through the trenches.
Giants continue to prioritize the defensive line
After handing out serious cash to Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, the Giants still weren’t done adding pass-rushing firepower.
Nov 3, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) reacts during introductions before the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
They doubled down in the 2025 NFL Draft, using a third-round pick on Toledo’s Darius Alexander to bulk up their interior line.
It was a pick that flew under the radar, but don’t let the quiet noise fool you — this guy has the tools to surprise.
At 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds, Alexander is built like a boulder and moves like someone half his size.
Production that translates to the next level
Last season at Toledo, Alexander logged 630 total snaps, including 327 as a pass rusher, showing his disruptive presence up front.
He recorded 37 pressures and four sacks, while also notching 27 total tackles — impressive numbers for a mid-major program lineman.
Alexander’s game is built on leverage and raw strength, and unlike many rookies, he enters the NFL with a fully developed frame.
That maturity could allow him to carve out a real role immediately, especially alongside Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ defensive anchor.
Why his presence matters more than it seems
The NFC East is loaded with mobile quarterbacks who can extend plays and punish lazy interior pressure with their legs.
Having someone like Alexander who can push the pocket from the inside becomes a silent weapon against offenses built around tempo.
Even if he doesn’t rack up gaudy sack totals, his ability to collapse pockets and absorb double teams will unlock others around him.
It’s the type of contribution that doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet but can be pivotal in a close division race.
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Credit: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Path to playing time is wide open
Unlike edge rusher or cornerback, the Giants’ interior defensive line group isn’t overflowing with competition outside of Lawrence.
That opens the door for Alexander to earn a heavy workload early if he can stand out in training camp and preseason action.
With his physical readiness and high snap count experience in college, there’s a strong chance he becomes a regular rotational piece.
He’s built to last and primed to contribute
Alexander isn’t the flashy name fans scream about after the draft — but he might just be the one they remember come October.
Every contending team has one rookie who quietly shifts the tide. For the Giants, Alexander might end up being that guy.
He’s already got the size, the strength, and now — the opportunity.
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