The Baltimore Ravens appeared to have a strong offseason entering the 2025 campaign. They lost minimal talent, added some key veteran pieces on both sides of the football, and brought in another exceptional class of rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft.
However, not all of the offseason moves are paying off. The team is off to a 2-6 start, free agent additions like quarterback Cooper Rush, offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, and cornerback Jaire Alexander have been negative assets, and this year’s rookie class has struggled to adjust to the NFL level.
Even worse, one of the few players Baltimore lost in free agency is looking like a star with his new team. That player is New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens.
Brandon Stephens putting together strong season in New York
Stephens’ Ravens tenure was full of ups and downs. He tended to provide tight coverage on the boundary, peaking in 2023 with a 69.2 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). However, he also tended to give up big plays and get flagged for back-breaking penalties.
Through four seasons with the team, he could never get his head turned around to play the ball in the air. He was a problem on the boundary all year in 2024, posting a 55.8 PFF grade. But in 2025, it seems like he is finally figuring it all out.
Through eight weeks, Stephens ranks as the 24th-best cornerback in the league, per PFF, with a 71.1 grade. He had a disastrous start to the season, but in the past five weeks, he has really come into his own. Since Week 4, he has been graded as the best corner in the NFL according to PFF. He also has not been called for a penalty since Week 1.
Brandon Stephens is the HIGHEST-graded CB in the entire NFL by PFF since Week 4 (min. 150 snaps).
— Justin Fried (@JustinTFried) October 27, 2025
His 82.2 grade ranks 1st among 72 qualifiers over the last 5 weeks. 82.9 PFF coverage grade ranks 2nd.
Remarkable turnaround for the #Jets big free agent signing. He’s balling.
Stephens’ breakout is tough to watch for Ravens fans, as their team’s secondary has found significant struggles early in the year. While the acquisition of safety Alohi Gilman is helping turn the ship, especially with the versatile usage of Kyle Hamilton, the corner depth has been an issue.
The trio of Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and Chidobe Awuzie should be strong heading into the rest of the season, but they could have used a player like Stephens in 2025, given Alexander’s nagging knee injury.
Regardless, the defense’s performance in the last couple of weeks should make most fans forget about Stephens’ recent dominance. He was not going to get the opportunity in Baltimore to break out, and he is taking advantage of that opportunity with the Jets.