When it comes to playing cornerback in the NFL, Brandon Stephens believes one trait towers above them all.
"I think size is definitely beneficial," said Stephens, 27, signed in free agency by the Jets after four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.
The addition of Stephens (6-1) gives the Green & White a pair of long and lanky bookends at CB where he will team with Sauce Gardner (6-3), who is entering his fourth season.
In his first encounter with the New York media as he and his new teammates navigate Phase 1 of their offseason program, Stephens said he's excited to step into the spot vacated by D.J. Reed (who left for Detroit in free agency) and team with Gardner.
"I think it's going to be a hell of a combo," he said on Wednesday. "You know, I'm excited for it. I think we're just going to make each other better. I'll be able to learn from him. He'll be able to learn from me. And so, I think it's going to be exciting.
"The length is everything for a DB. Size is everything, along with technique and whatnot. But I think there's not many in this league that have our size and I think that's to our advantage, whether that's in the passing game or in the run game. We have interchangeable parts on this defense."
The Plano, TX, native was the first defender from another team to agree to terms with the Jets in the Darren Mougey-Aaron Glenn era. He started 37 of the Ravens' 39 games the last two seasons, including 4 playoff games. He totaled 144 tackles, 2 interceptions and 21 pass defenses.
In Baltimore, Stephens was part of one of the league's perennially strong defensive units. After being drafted out of SMU in 2021, Stephens joined a defense that ranked No. 8 in the NFL from 2021-24 and that was No. 1 in rush defense, No. 3 on third down and No. 2 points allowed per game.
"I think that's definitely something that I can bring to this team," Stephens said. "Obviously, I come from a winning organization, and they haven't had as much success here, but I didn't shy away from the opportunity of bringing that here and being a part of that. And so, I think it'll happen soon. I think success is on the way, but obviously we got to put the work in and put the time in."
He also said he's looking forward to working with Glenn, a guy who was a strong and savvy corner throughout his long career in the NFL and has said he plans to help Stephens improve his ball skills and work on tightening up his coverage with the goal of snagging more interceptions.
"It's an area that I can improve on, and that's why I'm just excited to work with Coach Glenn," Stephens said. "He's been there, done that. He's made the plays, he's seen all types of concepts. And so just learning from him as well as the rest of the staff, I think that'll be beneficial to me, which benefits this defense."
Speaking about his new HC, Stephens said: "He's a great guy. My first opportunity talking to him was the first day of workouts the other day [Monday]. He's really direct, straight to the point, black and white, no gray area. And he preaches that, he's definitely about his business. And I think that's what I appreciate most about him."
