New York Giants interior defensive lineman Darius Alexander had a relatively quiet rookie season, playing a backup role with minimal impact. While his numbers weren't as encouraging as fans would hope, he was able to take a back seat in New York's rotation.
He can't hide anymore, though.
The second-year defender is set to start on the defensive line for the Giants. While they've made additions elsewhere that should help improve the defense, New York needs Alexander to step up if their plan is going to come together. The 25-year-old needs a big year to prove himself worthy of the third-round pick Joe Schoen spent on him last offseason.
Giants relying on Darius Alexander's development to fix defense
Even without Dexter Lawrence in the building, the Giants' plan for their interior defensive line seemed to be coming together this offseason. Then, presumed starter Roy Robertson-Harris suffered a torn Achilles tendon that will likely end his 2026 season before it starts.
With the veteran out of the lineup, Alexander is set to step into the starting lineup alongside DJ Reader and Shelby Harris.
If his rookie season is any indication, fans have a reason to be worried. He had 20 total tackles and received a run defense grade of 30.3 from PFF, ranking near the bottom of the league at his position. He was a bit more productive as a pass rusher, logging 3.5 sacks, but his run defense made it hard to keep him on the field.
Alexander was older than the average prospect coming into the draft, so it's hard to picture a massive improvement in his second season.
But the Giants are hoping that he defies the odds. New York ranked last in the NFL in defensive EPA per rush attempt allowed in 2025 by a fairly wide margin. They allowed 2,470 rushing yards on the season, ranking second-to-last in the league. This problem derailed the season, often taking the team out of games early.
Joe Schoen has committed most of this offseason to fixing that issue, signing multiple veteran linemen and replacing both of his starting off-ball linebackers.
Still, NFL offenses know how to target the weak link on a defensive line. Early in the season, teams will likely look to run the ball right at Alexander. If he's not ready for it, New York will risk falling into the same problem that plagued its 2025 campaign.
Add us as a preferred source on Google