Giants Sign Day 2 Rookie to First Contract

The New York Giants were one of the consensus winners of the 2025 NFL Draft, adding a blue-chip prospect, a potential franchise quarterback, and two potential starters before the end of Round 4.

Perhaps the most crucial, at least in Year 1, is defensive tackle Darius Alexander.

The Toledo product will be expected to start, even if the team ramps him up slowly as he begins his transition to the NFL. The 3-tech spot next to superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was one of the weakest spots on the roster and figured to leave the defensive line incomplete if left unaddressed in 2025.

Alexander, with his ability to make plays against both the run and pass, fills that hole and elevates the unit’s floor.

On Monday, the Giants’ rookie defensive tackle signed his rookie contract, the team announced.

According to Over the Cap, Alexander’s deal is worth approximately $6.75 million. It’s a four-year contract and, because he’s not a first-round pick, does not include a fifth-year option. Further, it is also not fully guaranteed as a non-top-34 pick.

It is immediately clear why Alexander hadn’t already signed, but there’s no reason to be concerned. He’s far from the last rookie to put pen to paper, and there were no whispers of the organization being cheap with its rookie, like there are with the Cincinnati Bengals and first-round edge rusher Shemar Stewart.

Playing alongside Lawrence, he’ll be joined by Roy Robertson-Harris, Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, D.J. Davidson, Elijah Chatman, and Jeremiah Ledbetter on the interior.

Alexander completes the Giants’ defensive line. If he can take advantage of Lawrence’s double teams, New York’s pass rush would optimize its synergy. If he demands that teams don’t double Lawrence, he’ll further unlock one of the game’s best players.

The third-round rookie has a significant role waiting for him, and with the off-field matter put to bed, he can focus solely on football.

Running back Cam Skattebo is the only member of the Giants’ draft class that is yet to sign.