The New York Giants were widely praised as one of the big winners of the 2025 NFL Draft, landing a top-tier prospect, a potential franchise quarterback, and two likely starters all before the end of the fourth round.
Among those picks, defensive tackle Darius Alexander may be the most important for the upcoming season.
Drafted out of Toledo, Alexander is expected to play a major role on defense—even if the team eases him in as he adapts to the NFL.
The 3-technique position alongside star lineman Dexter Lawrence was a major weakness last year, and Alexander looks like the ideal fit to fill that gap.
Known for his ability to disrupt both the run and pass game, Alexander strengthens the defensive line and raises its overall potential
. On Monday, the Giants announced that the rookie officially signed his contract.
Per Over the Cap, Alexander’s deal is worth around $6.75 million over four years. As a third-round pick, his contract doesn’t include a fifth-year option and isn’t fully guaranteed, which is typical for players taken outside the top 34 selections.
There’s no concern about the timing of his signing—he wasn’t the last rookie to finalize his deal, and there was no buzz suggesting the Giants were being stingy with negotiations, unlike what’s been rumored about the Bengals and their first-rounder Shemar Stewart.
Alexander joins a group of interior linemen that includes Dexter Lawrence, Roy Robertson-Harris, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, D.J. Davidson, Elijah Chatman, and Jeremiah Ledbetter.
If Alexander can take advantage of the attention Lawrence draws from blockers, the Giants’ pass rush could become a real strength.
And if he starts drawing double teams himself, it could free Lawrence to dominate even more.
With his contract now signed, Alexander can fully focus on his rookie campaign. The only member of the Giants’ 2025 draft class yet to sign is running back Cam Skattebo.
