NFL Free Agency: Top Five Ed Reed Destinations

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis (52) celebrates with free safety Ed Reed (20) after the San Francisco 49ers failed to convert on fourth down in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

We are a week into free agency and to be honest it kind of feels like it’s been at least a few weeks. Now we all know that the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t the only team losing key players from their roster, the Baltimore Ravens have lost a couple players including the now retired Ray Lewis.

A man who was not only a captain, but like a general and main support for a team and a face for a franchise. It is obvious that when you hear the team name Baltimore Ravens, you think of Ray Lewis and the glorious entrance he created to pump up not only himself, but everybody who was a part of the Baltimore Ravens family/team.

There were other anchors by Ray’s side as time went by, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed, both helped keep things together as their careers went on. Especially last season after they thought they lost Lewis for the year, but we all know how this played out.

Ed Reed, one of the greatest safeties to ever play the game, may be another anchor on the move. Now only time will tell what his decision will be, return home and retire a Raven like his fellow brother in uniform did, or try to help another team reach the mountain top.

1. Baltimore Ravens – Although teams have shown interest in Ed Reed, I firmly believe that he will be back in a Baltimore Ravens uniform and emerge from that pre-game smoke as players are introduced before the coin toss. I think it would be another blow to the team if they let a player like Reed go, a man who has done so much for this team and a key piece of that defense that will look totally different now that Ray Lewis has decided to hang up his cleats and join ESPN as an analyst. Baltimore loves Reed and Reed loves Baltimore.

2. Houston Texans – One of the teams who has shown some strong interest in Ed Reed could be a possible destination if they can sell him on why he should leave the Baltimore Ravens. This team could still build on defense and add more help for Danieal Manning and since Quintin Demps is a free agent, Reed would be a huge sign and replacement if they are looking to move forward without Demps as they did with Glover Quin (who signed with Detroit). They run the same 3-4 defensive scheme so not much adjustments would have to be made if Ed Reed does in fact sign his name on a Houston Texans contract.

3. Washington Redskins – While the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers bulk up their rosters in hopes of another repeat playoff season and maybe more, the Washington Redskins boost their chances by stealing Ed Reed from the Ravens. They released their captain and veteran corner-back DeAngelo Hall due to salary cap related issues, a fan and team favorite who put up great numbers during his time with the organization. They have some good talent when it comes to defensive backs and could use Reed to fill in and mentor those young men now that DeAngelo Hall is also looking for a new home. A great coach like Mike Shanahan and a roster full of young men who are determined to get back to work and win, could definitely use a productive safety like Ed Reed and compete with not only the division but against the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers.

4. Arizona Cardinals – They lost Adrian Wilson to the New England Patriots so why not take a shot at Ed Reed? They also released free safety Kerry Rhodes so they would be crazy not to contact Ed Reed’s agent and push an offer through. Not a Super Bowl ready team, they are in rebuild mode and could give Reed a decent amount of money to help them rebuild and mold young talent for as long as he is there. A possible move but unlikely, this is just a team that needs help, but we have seen some crazier things happen, so don’t count the Arizona Cardinals out of the Ed Reed hunt. If they actually have him on their radar.

5. Green Bay Packers – They released Charles Woodson so why not replace a future Hall of Fame Safety, with another future Hall of Fame Safety? The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions are only getting better, as they added to both sides of the ball and look to make a run for the NFC North division crown while the Green Bay Packers are still looking for those pieces to get them back to Super Bowl form. Again, young talent and some have tasted Super Bowl glory, but they have went down hill since then and would like to get back on top and stay there with a balanced team. Ed Reed could be what they need to help motivate this defense to stay and play strong and possibly bring that Lombardi Trophy back to Lambeau Field where fans and members of the organization feel it’s where it belongs.