5 best No. 24 overall picks in NFL Draft history: Cowboys sitting pretty

2. Ed Reed, S, Miami: Baltimore Ravens (2002)

There were some absolute superstars in the 2002 NFL Draft. While David Carr and Joey Harrington were busts, the NFL saw Julius Peppers, Bryant McKinney, Roy Williams (the safety), Dwight Freeney, Jeremy Shockey, Albert Haynesworth, and Javon Walker all get selected n Round 1.

As good as each of those players turned out to be, none had the success Ed Reed did.

Selected at No. 24 out of Miami, Reed was fortunate to land with the perfect team. The Baltimore Ravens were loaded with talent on defense, especially in the front seven. That forced opposing teams to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands in a hurry and Reed took advantage of that often.

An absolute ball hawk, Reed had five picks as a rookie to go along with 12 pass defenses and 85 tackles. He was so impressive that he was a First-Team All-Pro selection that year — the first of five times he earned the distinction. He added three more All-Pros by way of the Second Team and was a nine-time Pro Bowler.

Reed even led the NFL in interceptions three times, doing so in 2004 (9), 2008 (9), and 2010 (8). In all, he had 64 career interceptions and was the best in the business when it came to returning those picks. The Hall of Fame safety recorded 1,590 yards on interception returns and had seven touchdowns. He added two more touchdowns on his 13 career fumble recoveries.

His final season in Baltimore saw Reed finally win a Super Bowl ring. he spent one last year in the league, splitting time with the Houston Texans and New York Jets, finally hanging it up at the age of 35.

Reed is one of the greatest safeties of all time and still comes in No. 2 on this impressive list.