Crowded Giants depth chart is hiding a breakout rookie in plain sight

Despite a star-studded defensive line, Darius Alexander’s presence could be the Giants’ secret weapon
May 9, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
May 9, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Darius Alexander (91) participates in a drill during rookie minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images

When you think of the Giants’ loaded defensive line, the mind tends to return to the same three names: Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Dexter Lawrence. How can you not? Even Kayvon Thibodeaux’s name has been floated in trade rumors this summer, entering his contract year.

But because of the depth the G-Men have up front, I can’t think of any one player flying under the radar more than Darius Alexander.

The third-round rookie will do plenty to help Lawrence’s DPOY campaign

The Giants' front office clearly knew what they had in Alexander.

When negotiating a trade-up to select Jaxson Dart, Joe Schoen refused to part with the No. 65 pick, and fans will soon see why. We saw how the Giants struggled to generate pressure from the interior without Lawrence on the field, and the 24-year-old out of Toledo is certainly a disruptor.

Alexander posted 3.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 40 total tackles as a junior, then built on that with 4.0 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, 36 tackles, and six quarterback hurries in his senior season.

Not to mention how he looked in front of scouts at the Senior Bowl. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native was a game-wrecker who even made Seahawks first-rounder Grey Zabel look foolish. The only reason the 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman wasn’t selected sooner was that he’ll be making his NFL debut at 25.

Big Blue View’s Doug Farrar wrote about players he deemed underrated amid the Giants’ depth chart, and Alexander came to mind. He even turned back to display his February scouting report of the two-time All MAC selection, calling him “an angry dude with an intense desire to blow stuff up in the backfield”.

It is the unit full of stars that has had Alexander receive little hype entering his rookie season, but it’s hard to overshadow a guy like Abdul Carter. ​​

Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and defensive line coach Andre Patterson have a wealth of talent to work with up front, and it’s the depth of this unit that has fans buzzing for the season ahead. But Patterson is as good a guy as any to learn from. After all, he’s part of why Lawrence has ascended to superstardom.

While Alexander may not yet be a household name, his skill set and tenacity make him a vital piece of a formidable defensive front. Don’t forget to keep an eye on him, since he could quietly become one of the key contributors for one of the league’s better defenses.

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