Ravens rookie stock report following Week 10 performance

3. Brandon Stephens

The last of the Ravens rookies who have played significant snaps this season is safety Brandon Stephens.

It has been well documented that Stephens played running back and cornerback before he got to the league. Therefore, it is a new position that he is learning and not many people had high expectations for him this year.

However, due to injuries to the secondary Stephens has been forced into action.

It’s apparent on tape that he is an extraordinary athlete. His recovery speed is impressive and he is a very physical player that is a reliable tackler.

He has played all over the place in the Ravens’ defense. You will often see him playing free safety, but there are times when he is in the box and covering a tight end in the slot.

Because of his physical gifts, the Ravens are still able to keep their core defensive scheme intact. The unpredictability from their safeties is the key element they love to keep opposing quarterbacks guessing.

However, there have been several miscues that led to big plays with Stephens in the lineup. Now, that is to be expected because he is a rookie playing an entirely new position.

All in all, for a rookie who wasn’t expected to play much this year, Stephens has played very well. With the loss of DeShon Elliott, Stephens has been asked to step into a starter’s role.

I expect him to continue to fly all over the field and make plays. He will make some mistakes, but he has already shown the mental ability to bounce back.

Stephens’ potential is through the roof as he gets more comfortable playing the safety position.