The New York Giants needed to address their interior defensive line to complement Dexter Lawrence II, who can consistently stop the run and rush the passer. The defense struggled against opposing running backs in 2024, allowing the sixth-most rushing yards and tied for the eleventh-most rushing touchdowns. Finally, Rakeem Nunez-Roches posted the second-most sacks as an interior defender, with two, which is not ideal.
The Giants signed Roy Robertson-Harris in March and selected a G5 standout in the draft.
New York Giants select under-the-radar prospect on Day 2
The New York Giants selected former Toledo Rockets standout Darius Alexander 65th overall in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Alexander is an under-the-radar prospect, dominating the competition with the ability to defend against the run and rush the passer, posting 23 career tackles for loss and nine sacks, though playing for a G5 school rather than a P4 program. His accolades include a Third Team All-MAC in 2023 and a Second Team All-MAC in 2024.
Darius Alexander had a great redshirt senior season, with career highs in tackles and TFLs. He recorded 40 tackles, eight TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and one pick-six in 12 games. He also posted 37 pressures, a 12.9% pass-rush win rate, 23 run stops, and a 7.9% run-stop rate per PFF.
He inked his rookie contract
The New York Giants signed Darius Alexander to a four-year rookie deal. As Over The Cap projects, the deal is worth around $6.762 million with a $1.557 million signing bonus. Alexander is scheduled to earn a $1.229 million cap hit in 2025, $1.536 million in 2026, $1.844 million in 2027, and $2.151 million in 2028, with an opportunity to renegotiate his contract once his third regular season finishes.
He could start as a rookie
Darius Alexander could start during his rookie season with the opportunity to compete for the third starting interior defensive line position due to his ability as both a run defender and pass rusher. He will likely compete against Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who is on the chopping block. Dexter Lawrence II, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Alexander could form a solid starting lineup in 2025.
