The Denver Broncos may have built the NFL’s top defense heading into the 2025 season, excelling in every possible way. They’ve developed homegrown talent into stars, retained key veterans on cap-friendly contracts, and made smart moves in free agency.
The upcoming 2025 NFL Draft offers another chance to boost that unit, particularly by adding depth. One option could be Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander, a potential steal in the later rounds.
Alexander could fill two key roles right away — providing reliable backup support behind $39 million starter D.J. Jones and serving as a potential long-term solution at the position.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report listed the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Alexander among his top Day 2 and Day 3 prospects.
“Darius Alexander is the only other defensive tackle besides (Mason) Graham to earn a 90 overall and run-defense grade last season, according to Pro Football Focus,” Sobleski noted on April 9. “While he faced weaker competition in the MAC, he actually posted a higher pressure rate. Still, he turns 25 before his rookie year begins, which slightly lowers his value despite being one of the more disruptive interior defenders in the draft class.”
Alexander Played 6 Seasons of College Football
While Brent Sobleski points to Darius Alexander’s “advanced” age as a potential reason he could slip in the draft, the Broncos might view it as a strength rather than a setback.
What sets Alexander apart isn’t just his age — it’s the wealth of experience that comes with it. He spent six years at Toledo, appearing in 58 games, thanks to a redshirt year in 2019 and an eligibility-free season in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Though he didn’t become a full-time starter until 2023, Alexander made the most of his time on the field, earning back-to-back All-MAC honors. Over his final two seasons, he recorded 76 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks.
He capped off his college career in dramatic fashion, sealing Toledo’s wild 48-46, six-overtime win over Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl with a 58-yard pick-six — a viral moment that showcased his playmaking ability on the big stage.
Impressive Showing at NFL Combine
After a standout final college season, Alexander impressed scouts at the NFL Combine in February by running the 40-yard dash in 4.95 seconds.
NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein described him as a versatile interior lineman with the size, length, and toughness to play in both odd and even defensive schemes. While Alexander has the power to disrupt blocks, Zierlein noted he needs to better control his strength to dominate consistently at the point of attack. Though there’s room for development, Zierlein currently sees him as a solid depth piece or rotational player.
Drafting Alexander would likely provide depth behind Jones, whom the Broncos signed to a three-year, $39 million deal on March 10—following the completion of a previous three-year, $30 million contract signed in 2022.
Matt Holder of Bleacher Report projects Alexander as a third-round selection who could grow into a quality backup or starter. He believes Alexander is a strong schematic fit as a 3-technique in even fronts, though some teams may see limited upside due to his age.
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