4. S Ed Reed (first round, 2002)
Steve Bisciotti has famously told the story of being inside the war room and asking Newsome why he was drafting a free safety instead of Florida’s Lito Sheppard when the Ravens needed a cornerback in 2002, and it’s the perfect example of why the Baltimore owner is more of an observer as Reed went on to become one of the greatest players in franchise history. The 24th overall pick from the University of Miami was easily the best player of that draft and was named to nine Pro Bowls in his 11 years with the Ravens.
Reed arrived on the scene the year following the post-2001 purge that gutted one of the great defenses in NFL history, but his contributions were the biggest reason why the unit became dominating once again in little time. The 2004 AP Defensive Player of the Year lived in the shadow of Ray Lewis but led in his own unique way and is regarded by many as the greatest free safety in the history of the game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6E8aAsov310
Continue to next page for No. 3
