Baltimore Ravens: Ranking the 10 Best Players in Team History

Ed Reed

Nov 22, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Former Baltimore Ravens player Ed Reed stands on the field prior to the game against the St. Louis Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Reed will go down in not only Ravens, but NFL history as one of the most prolific playmakers not to play on offense. He is the only player in league history to score a touchdown off a punt return, blocked punt, INT and fumble recovery. He totaled 14 TDs and 61 interceptions in his 11 seasons with the Ravens.

Reed was the kind of player that quarterbacks knew where he was on every snap, but still managed to come up with a big play when it was needed. He led the NFL in interceptions three times during his career, including the 2004 season in which he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He intercepted nine passes, forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and scored two touchdowns that season to become the second Raven to receive the award.

The dynamic playmaker played his final season with the New York Jets and Houston Texans in 2013. He retired as a Raven this past offseason and was placed into the Ring of Honor during the win over the St. Louis Rams.

Reed was the best safety during his time in the NFL and there has not been another player at the position that has meant so much to his team. He should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer once eligible for the honor, and if he is not a unanimous decision, then whoever is voting has some kind of personal vendetta against him.

Next: No. 2: The Only Hall of Famer (For Now)