Giants Complete Defensive Line WIth Third-Round Pick

For the second night in a row, the New York Giants improved their defensive line. With their third-round pick, the Giants selected Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander.

With the third-overall selection Thursday night, New York selected edge rusher/outside linebacker Abdul Carter from Penn State.

The Giants hosted Alexander on a pre-draft visit. He has a high ceiling on the interior defensive line thanks to his elite athleticism.

This is an area the Giants failed to address last season and one that they placed great emphasis on this offseason. They apparently found their 3-technique to play next to Dexter Lawrence and help add a staple to the defensive front.

Alexander, a 6-4, 305-pound boulder, ran a 4.95 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis earlier in the offseason.

Alexander was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2024. He started 12 games, recording 40 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. He also chimed in with 3.5 sacks and four pass break-ups. 

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network said in a pre-draft internet call that three letters stood out to him while watching him on tape.

“Just seeing the waves of guys that Philly had - man, you just go get another twitchy, explosive, dynamic guy,” Jeremiah said. “I just wrote the word -- I just wrote vet, v-e-t, on my sheet. Look at your notes on a player, if you see the words violent, explosive, twitchy [v-e-t] over and over again, those are the guys that I think you want because that's what we just saw win the Super Bowl.”