Jets taking humungous risk by signing up-and-down CB as DJ Reed replacement

The New York Jets may have known they were going to lose DJ Reed, who is slated to join the Detroit Lions, in the early stages of free agency, but few Jets fans foresaw a future in which new leaders Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey signed former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens to replace him.

Stephens has had a very odd career with the Ravens. As he went from a relative afterthought safety to a quality starting safety to one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the NFL. Glenn is betting on his defensive back developmental abilities with this signing, as Stephens secured a nice payday.

The Jets agreed to link up with Stephens on a three-year, $36 million contract with $23 million in guaranteed money. This deal is not much different to the three-year, $48 million contract Reed agreed to with the Lions just a few hours ago.

While Stephens has been a solid starter in the past, the Jets' new No. 2 outside cornerback is coming off a less-than-awesome final season with Baltimore. Will the Jets get more of the same declining player, or will they be able to turn him around in Glenn's new defensive scheme?

Jets to sign Brandon Stephens to three-year contract

Stephens was regarded as a very underrated player after becoming a starter at cornerback for Baltimore, but the former third-round pick took a major step backward this season and allowed a 107.4 passer rating on throws targeting him. Glenn seems to believe he can fix Stephens, based on this contract.

The Jets still need to add a new starting safety to complete their new-look secondary. If Glenn and Mougey can check that box, a cornerback room led by Sauce Gardner on one side, Stephens on the other, and nickel extraordinare Michael Carter II inside could be a dynamic group.

However, the boom-or-bust potential is high in the Stephens signing, and the Jets are betting on this working out by guaranteeing so much of his contract. Time will tell if this was an insightful signing or the first big mistake of the Glenn/Mougey era.