The New York Giants drafted Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander at Pick No. 65 in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Giants need a penetrating defensive lineman with quickness off the snap who can stress offensive line angles and be a disruptor. Ever since the Giants traded Leonard Williams, they’ve needed another capable defensive lineman, and Alexander has three-down upside.
Alexander recorded 81 pressures over his final two seasons at Toledo with 50 STOPs over that same span. He missed 12.9% of his tackles in Vince Kehres’ defense. Alexander lined up across the defensive front and frequently stunted (exchanged gaps) at the line of scrimmage; he constantly slanted and utilized his quick, explosive first step.
Alexander made Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List (The Athletic) in 2024. According to Feldman, Alexander benched 400 pounds and clocked 20 miles per hour with over a 30-inch vertical. Alexander’s top play speed in 2024 was 17.7 MPH. Here’s his testing and measurables from the 2025 NFL Combine:
Here are Alexander’s strengths and weaknesses, followed by a YouTube video breaking down Alexander’s tape.
Strengths
Excellent athlete with a big well-rounded frame and long arms
Explosive player with solid footwork and change of direction
Good quickness off the line of scrimmage when he times the snap well
Very good lateral agility – steps outside his frame with quick jump inside in 1v1
Has a quality first three steps when he penetrates
Solid center of gravity WHEN he shoots gaps
Does well to dip his shoulder, bend, and present his numbers square to RB when slanting
Excellent run defender in 1v1 situations – possesses raw power
Has a gravitational pull around him as a run defender – finds ways to corral RBs when engaged in a block
Slides around blocks and locates the ball carrier well through trash
Quick and efficient hands as a pass rusher – VIOLENT MITS
Hands carry a heavy pop on contact
Quickly sheds blocks at the point of attack on the LOS
Disengages with strong hands – quickly finds ball carrier
Does well to work down the LOS in pursuit – good backside defender
Excellent overall strength and force into contact
Strong upper-body when rushing
Combines push-pull, swim, and spin moves with very good quickness when snap is timed well
Flashed speed to power conversion
Can create interior pressure with finesse or power moves
Good awareness and mental processing
If stopped as pass rusher, will quickly get his hands in the air
Impressive interception as a spy that he housed (Q4 8:01 3rd & 6 vs. Pitt)
Elite competitive toughness – always hustling
Although he went to a small-school, his 2024 Mississippi State and Pitt tape was impressive
Versatile – can play across the DL
Weaknesses
Pad level tends to rise – must keep his center of gravity lower
Doesn’t maximize his length
Does not always time the snap well
Could lock out better against the run
Washed by down blocks vs. run – also due to slanting style of defense
Doesn’t anchor at at a sufficient level vs. double-teams
Small-school reality may be used against him
Much older prospect (will be 25 during the season)