Turf Show Times
Jeremiah has Rams selecting Toledo DT Darius Alexander with the No. 26 pick
The Los Angeles Rams have one of the NFL’s best young defensive lines after a strong finish to the 2024 campaign. LA has constructed an impressive unit over the last couple offseasons. NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah has the team adding to it in the 2025 NFL draft with a defender generating “first-round buzz.”
In his Feb. 18 mock draft, Jeremiah has the Rams selecting Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander with the No. 26 pick:
“The Rams continue to add dynamic players to their young defensive line. Alexander put on a show at the Senior Bowl, and he’s starting to generate some first-round buzz in league circles.”
Toledo has been a sneaky NFL factory lately, with 10 players drafted since 2017, including Quinyon Mitchell whom the Eagles took at No. 22 in last year’s draft. The Rockets could produce back-to-back first-round picks and it’s not hard to see why regarding Alexander.
Alexander was named Third Team All-MAC in 2023 and Second Team All-MAC in 2024 after amassing 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 26 games. He put on an absolute show at the Senior Bowl where his overwhelming power and bull rushing ability were on full display.
Currently, Alexander doesn’t project as a first-rounder, yet it’s very possible that changes with the draft two months away. If he puts together an NFL Combine performance similar to his Senior Bowl outing, his draft stock will skyrocket quickly.
The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs compared Alexander to former Jets standout Muhammad Wilkerson. (Mr.) Crabbs sent a warning to NFL offenses in his scouting overview to “look out” if everything clicks into place for the Toledo product:
“Toledo Rockets defensive tackle Darius Alexander is a rocked-up, twitchy defender who boasts loads of potential in a variety of defensive schemes. Alexander has top-tier length and some flashes of strong gap control at the point of attack — he has the needed strength to live and play in any gap along the front.
As a pass rusher, Alexander has an explosive first step and surreal power at his disposal when he’s well-coiled and can unload into blockers with his power rushes. He leans on his heavy hands to jolt with counters or pull blockers off their base. He has consistency questions and would benefit from refinement of his block leveraging, disengagement skills, and pass rush plan to be a more constant threat to offenses, but his physical ability is that of an impact starter.”
Rams fans might have found their draft crush for the time being—until someone else comes along in the next mock draft.
