The Baltimore Ravens had to get contributions from many unsung heroes throughout the course of the 2021 season due to how many injures they suffered. Some of the players asked to step up were rookies, and for the most part they did a good job of answering the bell in big moments.
One of the rookies who played a big role during the year was defensive back Brandon Stephens. When Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta was asked about his thoughts on Stephens, he gushed about the former SMU star, talking about how much he had to learn at a “difficult and challenging position”.
“Yes, well, specific to Brandon [Stephens], I thought he had a nice year, and certainly as a young player, playing a very difficult and challenging position. There’s a physical challenge to it, but also a mental challenge to that position. Brandon came in … A few years ago, he was a running back – if you think about that – at UCLA, and then, primarily, last year, [he] was a corner, with some safety. So, I think what he did this year was pretty impressive, and what I can tell you is he’s a talented guy, he’s got a lot of physical traits, [and] he’s also got a lot of personality traits that should allow him to really succeed. We expect him to make a jump.”