Giants Host Small-School Defensive Tackle Prospect

The New York Giants are poised to draft a quarterback Shedeur Sanders, edge rusher Abdul Carter, or receiver/corner Travis Hunter with their first-round pick. Their biggest short-term need, though, won’t be filled with that initial selection.

Finding a starting defensive tackle to pair with superstar Dexter Lawrence is among the top priorities for the Giants this offseason. It’s the key to polishing an elite defensive line that already has significant resources poured into it.

Fortunately for New York, this class is stocked full with strong interior linemen, several of which have garnered interest from general manager Joe Schoen.

One such prospect is Toledo’s Darius Alexander, who the Giants hosted a visit with, per Justin Melo.

Alexander profiles as a 3-tech to pair with Lawrence, perhaps more so than Texas’ Alfred Collins, who New York also hosted. At 6-4, 305, Alexander has prototypical size but above-average, if not elite, athleticism.

Running a sub-5.00 40-yard dash at over 300 pounds is one way to garner hype, and there’s a non-zero chance Alexander is off the board late in Round 1. Nevertheless, he remains a Day 2 target for the Giants, particularly at No. 34.

Alexander is strong against the run but may be more sought after because of his pass-rushing upside. He’s flashed strong hand usage both against the run and pass, and his innate ability to convert speed to power is tantalizing.

Taking that potential and placing him in the pressure cooker that is Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Lawrence (and maybe Carter) is a quick avenue to boasting one of the league’s best defensive lines.

It’s worth noting, however, that there are flaws in Alexander’s profile. He’s an older prospect, who’ll be either 24 or 25 years old as a rookie. That gives him a physical advantage over younger collegiate competition. Yet, he never had more than four sacks in a season, even in the lower levels of the MAC. Each of those factors could limit his upside and otherwise suppress his stock.

Nevertheless, he remains a Day 2 option for New York in its pursuit to fully unlock Lawrence and a fearsome pass rush.