By Dan Duggan | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It will be a mild surprise if the Giants take a defensive player with the No. 2 pick in the draft. The widespread expectation is that the Giants will target a quarterback or Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with their top pick.

So, assuming the Giants pass on North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb and Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick at the top of the draft, here are eight defensive prospects projected to get picked in the middle rounds that the Giants should be watching at this week's Scouting Combine:

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Christian Petersen | Getty Images

LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama

NFL.com draft projection: Round 1

Evans' stock is on the rise, so he may not be available when the Giants are on the clock with the 34th pick. But the 6-foot-3, 234-pounder would be an ideal fit as an inside linebacker in the Giants' 3-4 defense. The Giants actually would benefit from an underwhelming Combine performance from Evans because that could cause him to drop to the top of the second round, but that's unlikely based on his athleticism.

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David Becker | Getty Images

LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State

NFL.com draft projection: Rounds 1-2

Vander Esch is another prospect who seems to be climbing toward the first round. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder's performance at the Combine will likely determine if he's still on the board when the Giants make their second round pick. Vander Esch had a monster 2017 season in his first year as a starter and he has the potential to be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.

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Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images

Edge Arden Key, LSU

NFL.com draft projection: Rounds 1-2

There are red flags surrounding Key, who left the LSU team last spring and then had a lackluster 2017 season. Those concerns should cause the 6-foot-6, 265-pounder to drop out of the first round. There may be good value for the Giants in the second round for a player who had 12 sacks in 2016 and would fit in perfectly as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

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Stephen M. Dowell | Orlando Sentinel/TNS

CB Mike Hughes, Central Florida

NFL.com draft projection: Round 2

The Giants may not need to make any significant additions at cornerback this offseason. But if they decide to shake things up by making Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a cap casualty and/or shipping out problem child Eli Apple, cornerback will become a top position of need. The 5-foot-11, 191-pound Hughes lacks ideal size, but he has above average ball skills. He is also a weapon in the kicking game, with two kickoff return touchdowns and one punt return touchdown in 2017.

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Chris Graythen | Getty Images

DE Da'Shawn Hand, Alabama

NFL.com draft projection: Rounds 2-3

Hand was the top high school recruit in the nation in the class of 2014. He didn't live up to that billing at Alabama, but the 6-foot-4, 289-pounder has the physical tools that NFL teams find irresistible. Hand is a prototypical 3-4 defensive end and he can shift inside on passing downs.

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Joseph Maiorana | USA TODAY Sports

DE Sam Hubbard, Ohio State

CBS Sports ranking: #104 overall

Hubbard doesn't possess the athleticism to turn heads at the Combine, so there's a chance he could drop to the Giants at the top of the third round. That would be a steal for a player who was consistently productive at Ohio State. The Giants need to upgrade their pass rush and Hubbard is the type of prospect who could make an immediate impact.

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Edge Kemoko Turay, Rutgers

NFL.com draft projection: Rounds 2-3

The second/third round projection for Turay seems overly ambitious for a supremely gifted, but raw edge rusher. The 6-foot-5, 252-pounder's athleticism should boost his stock at the Combine. Turay is a developmental prospect with a high ceiling who would represent strong value if he reaches Day 3, especially with the Giants holding a pair of fourth round picks.

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Jeremy Brevard | USA TODAY Sports

DE Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest

NFL.com draft projection: Rounds 4-5

If the Giants use their early picks to bolster the offense, they'll need to find some defensive hidden gems later in the draft. Ejiofor is another prospect who may not wow scouts at the Combine, but his track record shows that he's a quality player. The 6-foot-4, 270-pounder had 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons and has the size to play inside in passing situations.

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Offensive players to watch

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Ryan Dunleavy | NJ Advance Media

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.