Darius Alexander didn’t exactly make life easy on the Giants’ coaching staff in the preseason opener.
The second-year defensive lineman did notch New York’s only sack of the day, dropping Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy for a four-yard loss.
But the bigger story was how long he stayed on the field. Alexander played the entire first half and didn’t come off until late in the third quarter, which is not the kind of workload you usually see for a player who’s supposed to have a firm grip on a starting job.
That usage alone raises an eyebrow. So do the numbers.
Over 24 snaps, Alexander finished with a 51.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. His pass-rushing grade came in at a respectable 67.4, but his 43.8 run-defense mark is the kind of number that can put a player’s role under a spotlight in a hurry.
For a player who had been getting buzz as Big Blue’s next breakout candidate in 2026, this was a rough way to open the preseason.
And it comes at the worst possible time, because Josh Tupou is suddenly in the mix.
The veteran defensive lineman, signed recently, turned in one of the better performances in a preseason opener that didn’t offer much else for the Giants. Tupou logged 21 snaps and posted an 89.5 PFF grade, with a 70.2 run-defense grade and a 91.5 pass-rushing grade. It’s a tiny sample, sure, but he clearly outperformed Alexander on Sunday.
When the Giants released their initial depth chart, Alexander was listed with the first team alongside DJ Reader and Shelby Harris. Tupou was on the second string. After this game, that ordering looks a lot less settled.
That doesn’t mean Giants fans should feel great about either option right now. Alexander’s issues against the run are still staring everyone in the face, and Tupou hasn’t been consistently effective since before COVID. One preseason outing isn’t enough to erase that history.
Still, the competition is real, and general manager Joe Schoen made it clear after the game that the defensive line picture isn’t finished. He said, “That’s going to be a position we’re going to continue to look for and see if we can upgrade moving throughout the final countdown.”
The Giants get another shot to sort it out Saturday against the Miami Dolphins.
For Alexander, the margin for error is shrinking fast. New York wanted a breakout player to help anchor the front in the post-Dexter Lawrence era, but right now the decision feels like a choice between a young lineman who still has a lot to prove in the run game and a veteran whose best football is well in the rearview mirror.
In Other News...
Giants Move On From Veteran Starter As O-Line Youth Push Continues
The Giants youth movement along the offensive line has now sent another veteran out the door, with Greg Van Roten landing a one-year deal with the Patriots. Van Roten, 36, had been a starter in New York and has spent time with multiple NFL teams, making him a familiar kind of stopgap addition for a club looking for experienced help.
For the Giants, the move fits a broader push to get younger up front and keep building around players who can grow together. For Van Roten, it means another chance to carve out a role, and New England appears to see him as a versatile piece who can help at both guard and center while adding depth to a group that always seems to need it. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Backfield Just Got More Crowded For A Veteran Runner
The Giants have added another name to an already busy backfield, bringing in veteran running back Najee Harris to give the offense more depth at a position that already features Cam Skattebo, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Devin Singletary and Eric Gray. Harris arrives with plenty of NFL experience and a Pro Bowl nod from his time with the Steelers, giving New York another proven option as it sorts out how the carries will be distributed.
For a team looking to sort through a crowded running back room, the move adds both depth and a little more intrigue. Harris gives the Giants a different body type and rsum to mix into the rotation, and it also leaves the backfield picture looking a bit less settled than it was before the signing. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Just Sent A Clear Message About Their Receiver Battle
JuJu Smith-Schusters brief run with the Giants ended just as quickly as it began, a sign that the teams receiver competition is still very much in flux. Signed on June 1, Smith-Schuster never made much of an imprint during offseason work and was inactive in a recent game, while Braxton Berrios and Odell Beckham Jr. remain in the mix and are expected to be available for the next one.
The move also comes with a notable roster wrinkle, since the Giants filled the spot by adding running back Najee Harris. Even with Berrios and Beckham still on hand, the decision to move on from Smith-Schuster suggests the Giants are continuing to sort out which pass-catchers fit the plan best as they head into the upcoming game. [Read more 🡒]