Giants Sign Day 2 Rookie to First Contract
Giants Sign Day 2 Rookie to First Contract originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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.
Related: NFC East Defensive Tackle Rankings: Can Lawrence Carry Giants?
Related: Giants Star Challenges Top Spot in DT Rankings
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
19 minutes ago
- USA Today
New York Giants' Wan'Dale Robinson praises Russell Wilson: 'Easy to catch'
New York Giants' Wan'Dale Robinson praises Russell Wilson: 'Easy to catch' The New York Giants have a brand new quarterback room this season, led by 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. The Giants have not played a down in earnest yet with Wilson under center, but early returns indicate the team feels they are marked better than they were in years past with him throwing passes, especially deep ones. "That deep ball just drops right in the bucket, for sure. And then whenever he's throwing just the shorter routes and stuff like that, it kind of comes in like a pillow," said wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson at the Giants' OTA session on Thursday. "It's really, really easy to catch, which I like. "The first time we threw, me and (Darius) Slay(ton) were both like, this is actually better than we expected. And so, no, we were ecstatic about it, and couldn't be more happy that he's our quarterback." Wilson, with his long resume of success and neverending positivity, is a breath of fresh air for this dormant Giant offense. "Russell, he's been a guy that when you look at what he's done from Seattle to Pittsburgh, it was a mesh and fit for our scheme," Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown told the media on Thursday, "We knew we needed to push the ball down the field a lot more. You guys have seen him do that in practice. That's an ability and knack that is unique for Russ." The Giants were one of the worst deep passing teams in the NFL last season and Wilson's presence should help change that as we at Giants Wire recently outlined. Wilson the NFL with a 97.3 deep passing grade last season. Even with the addition of superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers, the Giants struggled to throw the ball downfield last season. As a team, they recorded just a 67.4 deep passing grade in 2024, 4th-worst in the NFL. Wilson has certainly looked the part this spring and his receivers are happy. All things considered, it's a positive start.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liberty Coach Sends Strong Message on Kiki Iriafen
Liberty Coach Sends Strong Message on Kiki Iriafen originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kiki Iriafen is only a rookie, but she's already caught the attention of the WNBA, from being named Rookie of the Month on Wednesday to setting records to even impressing the competition, including Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Advertisement Ahead of the Washington Mystics' matchup against the New York Liberty on Thursday night, Brondello praised Iriafen for how well she's adjusted from playing in college at USC to now the WNBA. "I've been really, really impressed with her game, to be quite honest," Brondello told the media, per Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post. Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) dribbles the ball in the second quarter against the Indiana Fever at Entertainment & Sports Faith Morgan-Imagn Images "I think she probably may be a better pro than when she was in college, I mean that's just how the game translates to this level. She's got this great, physical, big body. She's got confidence. She has a lot of freedom to play. I think that's good for young players like that, but [she's] very skilled." Advertisement At USC, Iriafen posted 18 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as a senior, but in her pro debut season, the Mystics' 2025 No. 4 draft pick has elevated her game: not only is she averaging a double-double of 14.6 points and 10 rebounds per game, but she's leading all rookies in rebounds per game and is ranked No. 4 in the entire WNBA. The other names above her? A'ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones, and Angel Reese. Despite the Mystics 78-86 loss to New York, Iriafen was impressive with her ability to hold her own in the paint: whether she was snagging 6 of the Mystics' 12 total offensive boards or remaining poised in the fourth and catching a perfectly on target lob from teammate Shakira Austin, Iriafen continues to show why many are already considering her a favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Related: Kiki Iriafen Joins Elite WNBA Company Against Indiana Fever This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Broncos' Sean Payton Speaks Out On JK Dobbins' Team Visit
Broncos' Sean Payton Speaks Out On JK Dobbins' Team Visit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Despite using their second round pick to select UCF running back, RJ Harvey, there is still a feeling that the Denver Broncos' RB room could use some reinforcements. Advertisement Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and Tyler Badie are all nice complementary, auxiliary pieces, but none feel like they can be part of a hard-hitting, one-two punch with Harvey. So it makes sense that the team planned a visit with free agent, and ex Charger and Raven, JK Dobbins on Thursday. And head coach, Sean Payton, had some complementary words to say about the former AFC West rival, per Mike Klis. 'Another good football player that we've seen firsthand." Payton said to the media on Thursday, "I've seen for a while the importance of that position group. We really like the group right now we're working with, it's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win.' JK Dobbins, Baltimore RavensPaul Rutherford-Imagn Image Dobbins is not necessarily an earth-shatteringly big name, but he is certainly an excellent back who would undoubtedly be on a roster right now as the RB1 - or high end 2 - if it were not for consistent injuries that have threaten to derail his otherwise potential-filled career. Advertisement Even though the former second round pick missed four games in 2024, he still managed 905 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, with an additional 153 receiving yards off of 32 receptions. Of the backs still left unsigned in the NFL, Dobbins has arguably the best case for being a true, quality starting back in the league - and could be an excellent mentor and teammate for Harvey over the next season or two. That is, if he does end up signing with the Broncos. Related: Broncos' Talanoa Hufanga Breaks Silence on Playing Alongside Patrick Surtain II This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
