Next Gen Stats' draft sleepers, Day 3 hidden gems

The wait is finally over.

After months of speculation, we are a mere hours away from seeing how the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft plays out.

Last week, we took a look at Next Gen Stats' can't-miss prospects. This list consisted of some of the top prospects in this year's draft class, such as LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase, Florida TE Kyle Pitts, Penn State LB Micah Parsons and more.

Some of the players on that list could be in play for the Giants at No. 11. But what about after the first round?

The Giants have six total picks in this year's draft: No. 11, No. 42, No. 76, No. 116, No. 196 and No. 201.

With the draft set to begin tonight, Next Gen Stats' Mike Band looked ahead towards prospects to keep an eye on beyond Day 1.

Here are NGS' Day 2 standouts:

Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

DJ's Big Board Ranking: No. 50

Production Score: 87 | Athleticism Score: 98 | Overall Draft Score: 98

Starter Probability: 58% | Pro Bowl Probability: 28%

"The modern-day NFL cornerback must have ideal athletic traits to mirror in coverage, enough length to match up against the league's bigger receivers and disrupt passing lanes, and tape that shows the player can put it all together. Stokes fits each part of that description. At 6-foot and 194-pounds, with 32 and 3/4-inch arms, Stokes ran a 4.29 40 at Georgia's pro day, fast enough to be ranked as the second-fastest time among the 265 scouting combine invitees from this year's class, behind only Auburn receiver Anthony Schwartz (4.25 seconds)." -- Band

Richie Grant, S, UCF

DJ's Big Board Ranking: No. 56

Production Score: 90 | Athleticism Score: 75 | Overall Draft Score: 89

Starter Probability: 70% | Pro Bowl Probability: 9%

"Playmaking ability is one of the most predictive traits when it comes to projecting the NFL success of a safety prospect, and Grant was a turnover machine. The rangy safety generated 15 takeaways (10 INTs, five forced fumbles) over his last three seasons with the Golden Knights. The three-time first-team All-AAC, and Thorpe Award finalist (awarded to the nation's top defensive back), enters the draft with a 90 production score, third-highest among safeties in this year's class behind only LSU's JaCoby Stevens (95) and Indiana's Jamar Johnson (92). Grant also finished top-five among safeties in the three-cone (6.78 seconds) and the broad jump (10-feet, 9-inches), helping him earn an above-average 75-athleticism score." -- Band

Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

DJ's Big Board Ranking: No. 70

Production Score: 72 | Athleticism Score: 92 | Overall Draft Score: 87

Starter Probability: 66% | Pro Bowl Probability: 6%

"Speed wins in today's NFL. Identifying the next game-breaking wide receiver, with Tyreek Hill-like explosive traits, is certain to be on the minds of every general manager across the league. Moore may be the best chance at finding one outside of the first round. Checking in at 5-foot-7 and 181 pounds, Moore makes up for his lack of size with elite athletic traits. Among the 52 WRs invited to this year's reimagined scouting combine, Moore ranked top-three in the 40 (4.33), vertical jump (42.5 inches) and three-cone drill (6.68), resulting in a 92 athleticism score, per the NGS model... The upside is there, and he's one of the youngest player's in this year's class." -- Band

D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Central Michigan

DJ's Big Board Ranking: No. 94

Production Score: 83 | Athleticism Score: 89 | Overall Draft Score: 87

Starter Probability: 68% | Pro Bowl Probability: 7%

"After shining at the Senior Bowl, Eskridge showed off his track background by running a 4.39 40 at his pro day. Team evaluators may be even more impressed by the Mid-Atlantic Conference star's 1.51-second 10-yard split, representing elite initial acceleration. What makes Eskridge even more likely to contribute early to an NFL roster? The dynamic receiver, and former cornerback, not only earned first-team All-MAC for his offensive production, but was also the MAC Special Teams Player of the Year as a return and coverage specialist. For skill-position players selected in the middle rounds, the ability to play special teams can often be the deciding factor in earning field time at the start of their careers." -- Band

More of Next Gen Stats' Day 2 names to know: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota;Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama;Nico Collins, WR, Michigan; Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech;Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas;Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky.

In addition, Next Gen Stats also listed some of the site's favorite Day 3 hidden gems.

The following players made the cut:

JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU

DJ's Big Board Ranking: Not ranked

Production Score: 95 | Athleticism Score: 97 | Overall Draft Score: 96

Starter Probability: 69% | Pro Bowl Probability: 30%

Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa

DJ's Big Board Ranking: No. 119

Production Score: 87 | Athleticism Score: 94 | Overall Draft Score: 95

Starter Probability: 73% | Pro Bowl Probability: 9%

Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

DJ's Big Board Ranking: No. 117

Production Score: 80 | Athleticism Score: 96 (estimated) | Overall Draft Score: 88

Starter Probability: 71% | Pro Bowl Probability: 12%

Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford

DJ's Big Board Ranking: Not ranked

Production Score: 72 | Athleticism Score: 91 | Overall Draft Score: 83

Starter Probability: 55% | Pro Bowl Probability: 15%

More of Next Gen Stats' Day 3 names to know:Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo;Caden Sterns, S, Texas; Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama;Marco Wilson, CB, Florida.

Adoree' Jackson adds key piece to secondary

The Giants made two rather big splashes within the first week of free agency this offseason, one on each side of the ball. The first move was the signing of wide receiver Kenny Golladay, which added a big, tough pass-catcher to an offense that the coaching staff hopes will take a big step forward this season.

The second move was the addition of cornerback Adoree' Jackson.

Jackson was a surprise cut by the Tennessee Titans right before the start of the new league year. The 25-year-old was the 18th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and one of the league's up-and-coming corners throughout his first three seasons.

The addition of Jackson marked the second significant free agent signing to the cornerback group in the last two offseasons. And after the success James Bradberry had in his first season with Big Blue, the Giants are hoping for similar results from the former USC Trojan.

Jackson racked up double-digit pass breakups in each of his first two NFL seasons, including 17 as a rookie in 2017. The speedy corner will add a lot to the Giants' defense, and should bring a steadying force to the secondary opposite Bradberry.

"I'm just going to be a great teammate, first of all, to the guys," Jackson said during the recent Giants' Town Hall session about what he will bring to the secondary. "I'm willing to learn. I don't know a lot of anything, pretty much. I'm always willing to learn. Just going out there and competing and playing, and just trying to be a brother to the guys in the locker room and keep a smile on their faces. Just be a great guy, a genuine person. That's all I know how to be.

"Football-wise, just try to be somebody that can lead by example. Going out there and competing, day in and day out, getting one percent better every day. I think that's what I'm going to bring to the table, just a competitor. Competing and not only just try to bring the best out of me, but my teammates as well."

Paul Schwartz answers Giants draft questions

Watch the video below to view The New York Post's Paul Schwartz's conversation with Giants.com's John Schmeelk where they answer questions about what the Giants might do in the 2021 NFL Draft.