Giants' Rookie Reacts to Looming Lawrence Connection

On Friday night, the New York Giants made a single pick, rather than the three they entered the 2025 NFL Draft with. For that, they have Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart to blame.

Even so, the Giants filled one of their biggest remaining holes. With the first pick in the third round (65th overall), they took Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander.

Finding a defensive tackle to start alongside Dexter Lawrence was the biggest need remaining on New York’s roster, and Alexander was among the quality candidates in a deep defensive line class. With immediate viability against the run and pass, Alexander can be an every-down lineman, elevating the floor and ceiling of the unit while insulating it in the event of a Lawrence injury.

In some ways, this selection was more about Lawrence than any other Giant – amplifying his talents and allowing others to take advantage of his gravity.

For Alexander, though, being selected by New York means getting to play next to one of the game’s biggest stars. During his first professional media availability, the Giants’ third-round pick reacted to joining Lawrence in the middle of New York’s defense.

“What I make of it, I think it's a great thing,” Alexander said. “I think they get two guys out there who want to go play hard, play balls to the wall, just be able to go in there and learn from him and be able to pick up things from him and install into my game to see how I can use it as a weapon on the field is what I'll be looking for. Just a chance to go out there and compete with another great guy, so I'm looking forward to that and I want to have fun.”

If last year was the first example of the Giants’ pass-rush synergy, the 2025 sequel should be even better. Alexander, who boasts elite athleticism, will look to push the pocket, take advantage of lesser guards, and use his speed to clean up the occasional sack.

Ultimately, he just has to do enough to either take advantage of Lawrence’s double teams or ensure teams can’t exert extra attention toward the titan next to him. With edge rushers Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and now Abdul Carter joining them, that job is even easier.

“I definitely watched film here and there on Dexter Lawrence,” he added. “I like to see how he plays with power. Even though he's a bigger guy, he's still got some quick twitch to him. He's able to be elusive out there and make plays in between every gap. I love watching how dominant he is and the force he uses to push guys back and they can't stop him.”

In making sure there’s no liability on the defensive line, New York will make its opponents face the full brunt of Lawrence’s talent, a development that saw Lawrence post nine sacks in 12 games.

Alexander may be stoked to be joining the Giants defensive line, but his arrival is good news for the incumbents, too.