Ranking the top 10 defensive players in NFL history…
10. Ed Reed
Drafted 24th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2002 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami, Reed quickly established himself as one of the premier safeties in the league, known for his ball-hawking prowess despite initial concerns about his size.
Over 11 seasons with the Ravens, Reed set franchise records with 61 interceptions, 1,541 interception return yards and 137 passes defended. He led the NFL in interceptions three times (2004, 2008, 2010) and holds the all-time record for interception return yards with 1,590.
His standout 2004 season earned him NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors, with nine interceptions returned for a record 358 yards, including a 106-yard touchdown.
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Reed was instrumental in the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory in 2013, contributing five tackles and an interception in the 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers. After brief stints with the Houston Texans and New York Jets in 2013, he retired in 2015, signing a one-day contract to end his career in Baltimore.
Reed’s career totals include 646 tackles, 64 interceptions, 139 pass deflections, 11 forced fumbles and 13 defensive touchdowns across 174 games. He ranks among the all-time leaders in interception returns and postseason interceptions with nine, tied for the NFL record.
Reed’s standout attributes were his exceptional instincts, range and film study habits, allowing him to anticipate plays and bait quarterbacks into mistakes. He possessed remarkable speed and agility for deep coverage, combined with physical tackling ability.
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Reed was a classic ball hawk: opportunistic, deceptive and versatile, excelling in both coverage and run support while scoring via interceptions, fumbles, blocked punts and punt returns.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
But who ranks ahead of Reed at No. 9 all-time?
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