Defensive lineman Darius Alexander, the first pick in the third round (65th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, signed his rookie contract after Monday's OTA practice at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
The Toledo product is the sixth member of the seven-player draft class to sign so far, joining outside linebacker Abdul Carter (third overall pick), quarterback Jaxson Dart (25th overall), offensive lineman Marcus Mbow (fifth round), tight end Thomas Fidone II (seventh round), and cornerback Korie Black (seventh round).
View photos from defensive tackle Darius Alexander's collegiate career at Toledo.
Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander, bottom right, sacks Pittsburgh quarterback David Lynch (16) during the first half of the GameAbove Sports Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Toledo defensive tackles Cavon Butler, left, and Darius Alexander, front right, hug after the GameAbove Sports Bowl NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander (9) smiles during the second half of the GameAbove Sports Bowl NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander (9) runs back an interception for a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the second half of the GameAbove Sports Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Detroit. Toledo defeated Pittsburgh in overtime 48-46. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander of Toledo (9) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander (9), of Toledo, takes the field before the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander of Toledo (9) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander of Toledo (9) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander waits to be measured at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Toledo defensive lineman Darius Alexander runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Giants see a "high ceiling" for Alexander as he develops in a deep defensive front, which includes three-time Pro Bowl selection Dexter Lawrence.
"I would say for me the main goal is just coming here as a young guy, working, getting to learn my teammates, getting to learn my defense and getting to learn my coaches," Alexander said at rookie minicamp.
Alexander added: "Next thing after that, it'd be just effort, just going out there running fast to the ball everywhere it goes. So, I'd say that's the key to success right there."
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.
In his final collegiate performance, the 6-foot-4, 305-pounder returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown with 7:49 left in regulation. His Toledo Rockets went on to defeat Pittsburgh 48-36 in a bowl-record six overtimes at the GameAbove Sports Bowl at Ford Field. Alexander also had a sack in the game.
Alexander, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., notched 28 reps in the bench press at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, second-most among defensive tackles. The Athletic's Bruce Feldman ranked him No. 53 on his annual College Football Freaks List, highlighting his 400-pound bench press, 30-inch vertical, and 20 mph on GPS.
See who led the Giants in sacks each season since it became an official statistic in 1982.
1982 Lawrence Taylor - 7.5 sacks
1983 (tied) Lawrence Taylor/George Martin - 9 sacks
1983 (tied) Lawrence Taylor/George Martin - 9 sacks
1984 Lawrence Taylor - 11.5 sacks
1985 Leonard Marshall - 15.5 sacks
1986 Lawrence Taylor - 20.5 sacks
1987 Lawrence Taylor - 12 sacks
1988 Lawrence Taylor - 15.5 sacks
1989 Lawrence Taylor - 15 sacks
1990 Lawrence Taylor - 10.5 sacks
1991 Leonard Marshall - 11 sacks
1992 Lawrence Taylor - 5 sacks
1993 Keith Hamilton - 11.5 sacks
1994 (tied) Erik Howard/Keith Hamilton - 6.5 sacks
1995 Michael Strahan - 7.5 sacks
1996 (tied) Chad Bratzke/Michael Strahan - 5 sacks
1996 (tied) Chad Bratzke/Michael Strahan - 5 sacks
1997 Michael Strahan - 14 sacks
1998 Michael Strahan - 15 sacks
1999 Jessie Armstead - 9 sacks
2000 Keith Hamilton - 10 sacks
2001 Michael Strahan - 22.5 sacks
2002 Michael Strahan - 11 sacks
2003 Michael Strahan - 18.5 sacks
2004 Osi Umenyiora - 7 sacks
2005 Osi Umenyiora - 14.5 sacks
2006 Osi Umenyiora - 6 sacks
2007 Osi Umenyiora - 13 sacks
2008 Justin Tuck - 12 sacks
2009 Osi Umenyiora - 7 sacks
2010 (tied) Justin Tuck/Osi Umenyiora - 11.5 sacks
2011 Jason Pierre-Paul - 16.5 sacks
2012 Jason Pierre-Paul - 6.5 sacks
2013 Justin Tuck - 11 sacks
2014 Jason Pierre-Paul - 12.5 sacks
2015 Robert Ayers Jr. - 9.5 sacks
2016 Olivier Vernon - 8.5 sacks
2017 Jason Pierre-Paul - 8.5 sacks
2018 Olivier Vernon - 7 sacks
2019 Markus Golden - 10 sacks
2020 Leonard Williams- 11.5 sacks
2021 Azeez Ojulari - 8 sacks
2022 Dexter Lawrence - 7.5 sacks
2023 Kayvon Thibodeaux - 11.5 sacks
2024 Dexter Lawrence - 9 sacks
