Ed Reed

Reed is still a good player, but he's a true free safety who doesn't make many tackles, so there isn't much IDP value here in most formats.

Like Troy Polamalu, Reed is both an injury worry and a surprisingly low tackle producer. For leagues that reward tackles, find someone else. In leagues that emphasize interceptions, on the other hand, Reed is perhaps a top target. He hasn't hit the 60-tackle mark since 2004, but his 27 interceptions (including three touchdown returns) in his last 54 games is a remarkable number.

Reed has been one of the league's best defenders throughout his career, as well as a great fantasy option for IDP leagues. However, his number fell somewhat last season (50 tackles and three interceptions in 12 games) largely due to a litany of injuries. Now hip reconstruction surgery in April threatens to keep him out for the start of the season. He can still be phenomenal fantasy option provided he stays healthy, but that's a big if at this point.

Eight years into his NFL career, and there are still few better than Reed at being in the right place at the right time. Last season, he led the league with nine interceptions, adding two fumble recoveries along with three defensive touchdowns. He may be aging, but his experience and smarts keep him a step ahead of the rest of the game.

Reed continues to excel as one of the best safeties in the NFL. He averages five interceptions a season for his career and should be in line to fall right around that number again in 2008.

After missing six games with a bad ankle injury in 2005, Reed was back in full effect in 2006. His numbers (59 tackles, five picks) were down due to the emergence of fellow safety Dawan Landry as well as some nagging minor injuries, but look for the same old controlled chaos of Ed Reed.

Reed missed six games last year to a high ankle sprain, but that wasn’t the extent of his owners’ disappointment. When he did play, Reed had only game with more than five fantasy points, and that came via two solo tackles and his lone pick in Week 17, way too late to help any fantasy teams. Because he played the last five games of the season, rather than calling it quits until next year, we at least don’t have to worry through an offseason of wondering how well he’ll recover. But his lack of productivity when he returned casts doubt on how positively to project him. In 16 games, Reed has been just about a mortal lock to get 60 or more solo tackles (he dipped to 59 in 2003) and has shown special abilities in making interceptions. Even with last year’s down year, he’s averaged 5.5 picks per season in his four pro years, which is a high number for any defensive back, not to mention a strong safety, who spends much time in run support. Check on him in camp, because the lack of good games last year is cause for concern, but if he’s healthy, there are few with as high a point ceiling.

Reed had 358 yards off interceptions last year, including one run back an NFL-record 106 yards for a touchdown. Show us a receiver that efficient with nine catches, and we’ll see you in Canton. But more importantly, since pick return yards don’t count in most leagues, Reed has shown an amazing ability to intercept passes, averaging an elite seven picks per season in his three years in the league. His typical low 60s solo tackle numbers are a fine base off which to build his exceptional playmaking, and he’s improved with his week-to-week consistency, turning in at least three fantasy points in every game last year. When it comes to ball hawks, it doesn’t get any better.

Some stat sheets hide a secret about Reed. We can all be happy about him averaging 65 solo tackles, a sack, six picks and an impressive13.5 passes defended in his two years in the NFL. What you don't always see are his two blocked kicks per year and the two touchdowns he scored off of them in 2003. That's a lot of fantasy points to leave in between the columns. He is more likely than the other elite backs to drop in a one- or two-point stinker on a given week, however.

Reed had 67 solo tackles, five interceptions and a sack a year ago and should continue to get his hands on hurried passes thrown by quarterbacks under fire from both Peter Boulware and rookie Terrell Suggs. A healthy Ray Lewis may cut into his tackles a bit, however.