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Welcome to Baltimore: Brandon Stephens

RaineV1

Ravens Ring of Honor
Just a thought, but imagine if this board was around when we drafted Webb in the 3rd round. The reactions would be the same that Stephens is getting. Not saying that Stephens will be like prime Webb.
 
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rossihunter2

Staff Member
Moderator
Just a thought, but imagine if this board was around when we drafted Webb in the 3rd round. The reactions would be the same that Stephens is getting. Not saying that Stephens will be like prime Webb,

for sure - it's just tough to be super excited about a guy you've hardly been able to watch lol
he'll be one of the guys im most excited to see in preseason (assuming we have a preseason)
 

rossihunter2

Staff Member
Moderator
Some notes on brandon stephens that i've got so far:

  • not particularly long but not short either - gets his hands on the ball a ton at the catch-point - playing through the hands and competitive (helps that he's able to consistently break on the ball because of his athletic gifts)
  • not the most physical in the route - and not an aggressive tackler
  • twitchy and explosive - easy movement skills - occasionally stumbled but has recovery speed - ability to explode to break on the ball is impressive - smooth in transition
  • never rushed in man coverage (except at the line sometimes) - needs work on his press technique
  • clearly fairly new to the position - eye-discipline at times is not amazing and can be a bit late to react
  • didnt get asked to back-pedal a ton - SMU put him in half-turn technique mostly from what i've seen
  • seems to read in zone pretty well - decent recognition
i've not been able to find a ton - mostly what ive seen from him is man coverage on the outside and EDC talked about him as potentially playing free safety

what i did see was a confidence in his athletic ability especially when lined up deep, and a confidence in his reads that's very telling of the kind of guy he could be - he moves so well and easily in the secondary and seems to have a decent understanding and innate feel for leverage

he's definitely going to play on special teams although im not sure about his tackling
but i'm not as convinced that he wont find himself a role in dime like i was last night - he feels like he could come on the field in obvious passing situations and pick up a slot from a deeper alignment or in zone - how he picks up the defense is key

but if he's got that intelligence then i could definitely see a chuck clark type rookie role (where chuck started mostly on special teams and by the end of the year had forced his way onto the field in dime packages and taking over anthony levine's role) - but it will all hinge on how he picks up the playbook
 

RaineV1

Ravens Ring of Honor
Some notes on brandon stephens that i've got so far:

  • not particularly long but not short either - gets his hands on the ball a ton at the catch-point - playing through the hands and competitive (helps that he's able to consistently break on the ball because of his athletic gifts)
  • not the most physical in the route - and not an aggressive tackler
  • twitchy and explosive - easy movement skills - occasionally stumbled but has recovery speed - ability to explode to break on the ball is impressive - smooth in transition
  • never rushed in man coverage (except at the line sometimes) - needs work on his press technique
  • clearly fairly new to the position - eye-discipline at times is not amazing and can be a bit late to react
  • didnt get asked to back-pedal a ton - SMU put him in half-turn technique mostly from what i've seen
  • seems to read in zone pretty well - decent recognition
i've not been able to find a ton - mostly what ive seen from him is man coverage on the outside and EDC talked about him as potentially playing free safety

what i did see was a confidence in his athletic ability especially when lined up deep, and a confidence in his reads that's very telling of the kind of guy he could be - he moves so well and easily in the secondary and seems to have a decent understanding and innate feel for leverage

he's definitely going to play on special teams although im not sure about his tackling
but i'm not as convinced that he wont find himself a role in dime like i was last night - he feels like he could come on the field in obvious passing situations and pick up a slot from a deeper alignment or in zone - how he picks up the defense is key

but if he's got that intelligence then i could definitely see a chuck clark type rookie role (where chuck started mostly on special teams and by the end of the year had forced his way onto the field in dime packages and taking over anthony levine's role) - but it will all hinge on how he picks up the playbook
By the sounds of it I think he takes over the FS role by the end of the year. Keep him deep and let him read and react. And it lets Clark stick to a more SS role.
 

Dom McRaven

Hall of Famer
I just cannot wait for Flex to tell us how much he's going to succeed because he's an absolute dog and the worst case scenario is him becoming Malcolm Jenkins
I'm already on record saying that in a couple of years, he'll be a key piece on our defense. You best believe I speaking this into existence.
 

rossihunter2

Staff Member
Moderator
By the sounds of it I think he takes over the FS role by the end of the year. Keep him deep and let him read and react. And it lets Clark stick to a more SS role.

idk - it's hard to say he'll be ready to do that - to go from RB to CB and then to convert to FS in the pros - that's quite a developmental challenge
i could certainly see him playing deep in dime packages but id still expect elliott to finish the year as the starter
 

Charm City

Pro Bowler
Stephens reminds me a lot of Tray Walker as a prospect. A middle round project DB who many of us hadn't heard of that was more athletic than anything else. From what I remember Walker came on very slowly and was a St contributor before showing flashes and getting more playing time on D before the end of the season. I see a similar career trajectory for Stephens. RIP Tray.
 

Jacquouille

Ravens Ring of Honor
Supporter
Not sure I get what you’re implying here lol, I’m not too thrilled with the pick, really not thrilled with our draft outside of Bateman. I was taking a wait and see approach after we took oweh, and after waiting and seeing the third round, I’m not loving our direction.

this class feels too much like 2019 for my liking.
Lol I know you don't like it but knowing you he's definitely a Guy you're going to talk yourself into ahaha.

I wanted Jamar Johnson so bad though
 

Dom McRaven

Hall of Famer
Stephens reminds me a lot of Tray Walker as a prospect. A middle round project DB who many of us hadn't heard of that was more athletic than anything else. From what I remember Walker came on very slowly and was a St contributor before showing flashes and getting more playing time on D before the end of the season. I see a similar career trajectory for Stephens. RIP Tray.
*sighs*

Tray Walker. Too young man, too young.
 
He's a big project but his physical profile is good enough for the outside, he's also got enough size to be a versatile hybrid type safety. Hopefully he'll develop quickly.
 
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