The New York Giants continued to bolster their defensive front by selecting Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander with the first pick of the third round in the 2025 NFL Draft. It marked the second consecutive night the Giants prioritized upgrading their defensive line, following Thursday’s selection of Penn State edge rusher/outside linebacker Abdul Carter with the third overall pick.
Alexander, who visited the Giants during the pre-draft process, brings massive upside as an interior lineman, largely thanks to his standout athleticism. This was a key area of concern for New York last season, and it’s clear the front office made it a top priority to address it this offseason. With Alexander now joining forces with star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Giants appear to have found a dynamic 3-technique presence to solidify their line.
- Darius Alexander
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 305 pounds, Alexander turned heads at the NFL Combine with a 4.95-second 40-yard dash—an impressive time for someone of his size. He was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2024 after starting 12 games and recording 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and four pass breakups.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah praised Alexander’s skill set in a pre-draft call, referencing three traits that stood out on film: “violent, explosive, twitchy.” He jokingly said he wrote “V-E-T” on his notes while watching Alexander, explaining that these are the exact qualities seen in dominant defensive lines like Philadelphia’s — the type of front that helped power a Super Bowl run.
By adding Alexander, the Giants are hoping to replicate that winning formula with their own wave of young, disruptive talent up front.
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