When discussing the elite safeties in NFL history, Baltimore Ravens icon Ed Reed consistently finds himself at the forefront. In the realm of the past three decades, his exceptional ball skills often catapult him to the pinnacle.
In the 2002 NFL Draft, amidst selections like TJ Duckett, Wendall Bryant, and Ryan Sims, Ed Reed, the former Miami standout, slipped to the 24th overall pick. Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta, then a scout for the team, revealed that Reed wasn’t their initial choice.
During a conversation on Ryan Ripken’s show, DeCosta disclosed that the Ravens had their sights set on Northwestern linebacker Napoleon Harris, ranking him 17th on their draft board. Unfortunately, the Oakland Raiders secured Harris with the 23rd overall pick, leaving the Ravens in an uneasy silence.
Despite reservations about Reed’s speed and athleticism, the Ravens ultimately opted to draft him. The decision proved historic, as Reed emerged as the premier defensive back in Ravens history, cementing his status as a surefire Hall of Famer and one of the most successful late first-round picks in NFL Draft history.
Reed’s illustrious career boasts impressive statistics, including leading the league in interceptions three times as a Raven and currently ranking seventh all-time with 64 interceptions. Remarkably, he achieved these feats in just 12 seasons, underscoring his unparalleled talent.
Meanwhile, Napoleon Harris’s NFL career saw him tally 484 tackles and 8.5 sacks across seven years with the Raiders, Vikings, and Chiefs. Despite DeCosta’s tongue-in-cheek observation about Harris’s subsequent career path, he transitioned into politics, serving as an Illinois state Senator since 2013.
Reflecting on the draft process, Reed’s selection serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft. Even esteemed organizations like the Ravens, led by one of the league’s premier GMs in Ozzie Newsome, were willing to overlook a transformative defensive back due to perceived speed concerns. Ultimately, the Ravens’ serendipitous decision to draft Reed stands as a pivotal moment in NFL draft history.
