The Philadelphia Eagles may be looking to double down on a winning formula. In the latest 2025 NFL mock draft from A to Z Sports analyst Ryan Roberts, the Eagles are projected to select Toledo defensive tackle Darius Alexander with the 32nd overall pick. If that prediction becomes reality, it would mark the second straight year Philadelphia selects a Toledo Rocket in the first round-reuniting Alexander with standout cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. “The last player that the Eagles drafted from Toledo, it ended up going pretty well,” Roberts noted. “Alexander has been a steady riser in this class, and just brings less questions than a couple of defensive tackles with larger fanfare. His floor is very high.” The potential pairing makes strategic sense for a team looking to bolster its interior defensive line after losing Milton Williams to the New England Patriots in free agency. At 6-foot-3 and 304 pounds, Alexander recorded 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 12 games during his final college season. He even showcased his playmaking ability with a pick-six in a thrilling six-overtime bowl win over Pittsburgh. Alexander’s trajectory has mirrored his rising draft stock. After earning third-team All-MAC honors in 2023, he stepped up as a second-team all-conference selection in 2024, gaining traction as a first-round or early Day 2 target among draft evaluators. With questions looming about the Eagles’ defensive tackle rotation heading into the 2025 season, Alexander could offer immediate help. He brings a powerful blend of quickness and strength, as well as a consistent motor that aligns with the Eagles’ trench-first identity. Beyond the scheme fit, the personal connection between Alexander and Mitchell adds another compelling layer to the selection. The two were teammates at Toledo and have remained close throughout the pre-draft process.
“That’s a guy I talk to a lot,” Alexander said of Mitchell at the NFL Combine. “That’s my brother right there. Just to go see him do what he did was wonderful and showed how he sticks to his process. I always take pride in representing the MAC. Most people feel like it’s a small conference with small guys there, but we’ve got great players, too.” Mitchell, selected 22nd overall by the Eagles in 2024, quickly made a name for himself with a standout rookie season. If the Eagles do add Alexander at No. 32, it would mark a historic moment-making the duo just the second and third first-round picks in Toledo football history. General Manager Howie Roseman has never shied away from unconventional programs if the tape and traits check out. From Jordan Mailata to Jalen Hurts, Roseman has consistently trusted his scouting department to find the right players, regardless of pedigree. In Alexander, the Eagles would be getting a versatile, high-floor interior lineman with college production, scheme fit, and locker room chemistry already built-in. If the board falls a certain way, this move could mirror Philadelphia’s past success stories-identifying talent early and betting on fit over flash.