Moving parts are going to be the defining feature of defense for the New York Giants in 2025, but the biggest Chameleon may not be first-round draft pick Abdul Carter, but a potential sleeper taken 62 spots later.
Defensive tackle Darius Alexander is a post-opening rounder predicted for big things by Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports. His high hopes are based on the many hats Alexander wore during his career at Toledo.
Those different roles included “Rushing off the edge, aligning at linebacker, sinking into coverage, playing nose tackle. Name a front-seven duty, and he executed it over the past four seasons in the MAC,” per Trapasso.
The latter views third-rounder Alexander as “an amoeba for New York in 2025 and beyond. Plus, he’s a high-caliber athlete who had a 40-yard dash, vertical, and broad jump all above the 75th percentile at the interior defensive line position.”
One more shape-shifter up front will only add to the smorgasbord of roving disruptors the Giants are putting together. Third-overall pick Carter will lead the way as part of a “terrifying” plan to confuse and wreck quarterbacks this season, but the many uses of Alexander are arguably more intriguing for defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
Darius Alexander Usage Plan What Giants Need Along D-Line
The defensive line should be a position of strength for the Giants, but things have become predictable for one reason. Namely, the solo dominance of All-Pro nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II.
He’s a game-wrecker, but teams know where Lawrence will be, lined up over center and ready to fight a double- or triple-team. What Lawrence and the Giants need is another lineman active and flexible enough to add some unpredictability up front.
Alexander can fit the bill thanks to plays like this one from his collegiate days. A sack when he crashed inside from a wide alignment, highlighted by Nick Falato of SB Nation’s Big Blue View.
A wide-angled sack by Darius Alexander, who goes through the B-gap with a defender to his outside on a 3rd & 6.
Best believe he’ll be used in this alignment. The #Giants are going to stress some angles this season.
Having Alexander alter the picture both pre- and post-snap will keep teams guessing and draw some focus away from Lawrence. That’s the plan, but the Giants need Alexander fully healthy and getting up to speed this offseason.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old missed time during OTAs, although head coach Brian Daboll didn’t explain Alexander’s absence, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.
Giants 3rd round pick DL Darius Alexander again with no helmet at the 2nd open OTA practice. Brian Daboll won’t comment on his injury or what he’s done this spring
Alexander still wasn’t practicing on Thursday, June 12, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The missed time is inconvenient for a player who should be a key member of the Giants’ Rubik’s Cube in the trenches.
At least other important roving pass-rushers have been available.
Giants Building Unpredictable Defensive Front
Drafting Carter to join bookend edge-rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns gave the Giants more options for rushing the passer. Carter will stay on the move, while Burns can also expect to attack from different areas, but the roving brief will also extend to bigger linemen.
Alexander is the logical choice to slide to anywhere across the front, but he won’t be the only mobile trench warrior. Veteran Roy Robertson-Harris has ample experience rushing from both D-end and tackle.
He’ll be an example for Alexander, while Bowen and the Giants can also expand how Lawrence attacks the pocket. He’s deadly over the ball, but the 6-foot-4, 340-pounder would be just as difficult to deal with over an offensive tackle.
The trick will be for the Giants to keep their “joker” type defenders on the move without breaking down the structure of Bowen’s system. If Alexander’s natural versatility encourages more activity from Lawrence, the Giants will have the launching point for one of the most interesting defenses in the league.
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‘Ubiquitous’ Rookie Predicted to Be ‘Amoeba’ for Giants