Cam Skattebo is now the only unsigned Giants 2025 draft pick.
Third-round defensive lineman Darius Alexander signed his four-year, $6.7 million rookie contract slotted to him as the No. 65 overall selection in the NFL Draft, the team announced.
Alexander, 24, did not participate during last week’s first open OTA practice. But the Giants are hopeful that the second-team All-MAC interior lineman can pair with star Dexter Lawrence to improve the team’s run defense and interior pass rush.
Alexander had 40 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight tackles for a loss, four pass defended and an interception return for a touchdown in his fifth and final season at Toledo.
He said at rookie minicamp in May that he plans to unlock his full potential in the NFL by “just trusting my coaches and the veteran guys” to guide him and by giving maximum “effort.”
“Just going out there, running fast to the ball everywhere it goes,” he said. “I’d say that’s the key to success right there.”
Alexander is the sixth member of the Giants’ seven-player draft class to sign, joining first round outside linebacker Abdul Carter, first-round quarterback Jaxson Dart, fifth-round offensive lineman Marcus Mbow, seventh round tight end Thomas Fidone II and seventh-round cornerback Korie Black.
Skattebo, the club’s fourth-round running back, practiced during the first half of Wednesday’s open OTA practice before stepping off to get stretched out by a trainer.
Alexander was one of 27 defensive tackles selected in the 2025 draft, tied for the most (2001) since the start of the seven-round format in 1994.
LIONS CENTER RAGNOW RETIRES
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, 29, announced his retirement on Monday after seven seasons with the Detroit Lions, citing health concerns.
“I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not,” Ragnow wrote on Instagram, “and it’s time to prioritize my health and my famil[y’s] future.”
Rookie second-round pick Tate Ratledge, a guard from Georgia, has been taking first-team reps at center in Ragnow’s absence and is the leading candidate to replace him on the Lions’ line, per the Detroit Free Press.
The Philadelphia Eagles won a Super Bowl last season despite the retirement of former All-Pro center Jason Kelce, but they had drafted his replacement Cam Jurgens back in 2022 to prepare for it.
The Lions, whose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to take the Chicago Bears’ head coaching job in division, have their work cut out to replicate or even near last season’s success.
Speaking of the Eagles, former Giants running back Saquon Barkley made the cover of EA Sports’ Madden 26 video game with a recreation of his iconic backwards hurdle over Jacksonville Jaguars corner Jarrian Jones for the Eagles last fall.
Philly also traded seldom-used former Jets pass rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for a day three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, reuniting him with former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who is back as the Niners’ DC.