Arvell Reese's arrival earlier this offseason has certainly stirred the pot when it comes to the buzz around a potential Kayvon Thibodeaux trade. But amidst all this chatter, there's another young pass-rusher on the New York Giants roster who might have slipped under the radar for even the most devoted fans. Meet Darius Alexander, the third-round pick out of Toledo, who made some noise last season with 3 ½ sacks and four tackles for loss.
Alexander's breakout moment came during an overtime clash with the Lions last November. He etched his name into the Giants' history books by becoming the first rookie since Jason Pierre-Paul in 2010 to notch multiple first-half sacks. It's safe to say, Giants fans shouldn't expect him to be packing his bags anytime soon, especially if he continues to prove why Joe Schoen took a chance on a mid-major talent.
Let's dive into what Giants fans need to know about Darius Alexander.
The Giants' defensive line faced its share of adversity, particularly with the Dexter Lawrence trade and Roy Robertson-Harris' Achilles injury sidelining him for the season. Veterans Shelby Harris and DJ Reader are expected to anchor the interior line, while sixth-round rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis has been turning heads throughout the offseason.
Enter the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Alexander. Despite a quiet rookie season, he managed to carve out a role for himself, appearing in 16 games.
During his college years at Toledo, Alexander was a force to be reckoned with, racking up nine sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and even a pick-six over five seasons. While his rookie year stats might not have set the world on fire, there's plenty of room for optimism.
Pro Football Focus wasn't particularly kind to Alexander, ranking him 121st out of 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His struggles against the run were evident, earning a lowly 30.3 run defense grade.
However, let's not forget that he came from a Mid-American Conference program, and while that might be an easy knock, playing college football at any level is no small feat. It's a testament to his talent and determination.
For Alexander, getting regular playing time as a mid-round pick on a team that finished 3-14 is an achievement in itself. It's a reminder that when you give coaches a reason to play you, good things can happen.
Giants fans, keep an eye on this young talent. He's just getting started.
In Other News...
Giants Are Quietly Counting On One Veteran To Help Fix This Offense
The Giants spent part of the offseason reshaping an offense that needs more stability up front, and the tight end room is part of that conversation. With Isaiah Likely and Theo Johnson in place, New York is also leaning on veteran Chris Manhertz to handle the blocking tight end job after bringing him back on a one-year deal. His value has never been tied to flashy production. It is about being dependable in the run game and useful on special teams, the kind of role that can quietly help an offense function better.
Manhertzs importance grows a little more because Daniel Bellinger is gone, having left for the Tennessee Titans. That opens the door for Manhertz to stay on the roster and keep the job he is built for, especially in heavier looks where the Giants want an extra blocker on the field. The real question now is how much the team trusts him to hold that spot once the roster gets trimmed and the season starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Evan Neals Giants Future Suddenly Feels More Dangerous Than Ever
Evan Neals path back into the Giants lineup has taken another turn, and not for the better. The team brought him back on a minimum-level deal with the idea that he could battle for the right guard job, a fresh start at a new position after years of uneven play and injuries. Head coach John Harbaugh still sees room for growth there, and the Giants clearly did, too, when they kept him around as part of a revamped offensive line picture.
But the competition has changed around him fast. With Francis Mauigoa now in the building after going No. 10 overall and other additions further crowding the room, Neal is no longer just trying to win a starting job, he is trying to hold onto any roster spot at all. For a former top draft pick whose reset at guard never really got off the ground, the margin for error has suddenly become razor thin. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Still Have A Few Cheap Fixes Left In This Overhaul
The Giants have already done a lot of the heavy lifting in this overhaul, with John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen checking off plenty of roster needs as they look ahead to 2026. Even so, there are still a few spots that could use some inexpensive reinforcement, especially in the kind of depth roles that can matter once injuries and attrition start piling up.
Linebacker, running back and the defensive line all still offer room for a modest upgrade, and there are a few veteran names who fit that bargain-bin profile. Kenneth Murray Jr., Elandon Roberts, Najee Harris and Greg Gaines all surface as possible low-cost answers, giving the Giants options if they want to add insurance without pushing the rebuild off course. [Read more 🡒]