The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 24 Baltimore Ravens, 2002

Team Achievements: 70-58 since 2002, 4 playoff berths, 2008 AFC Championship loss.

The Ravens' 2002 Selections: Ed Reed, FS, Miami (No. 24)
Anthony Weaver, DE, Notre Dame (No. 52)
Dave Zastudil P, Ohio (No. 112)
Ron Johnson, WR, Minnesota (No. 123)
Terry Jones, TE, Alabama (No. 155)
Lamont Brightful, CB, Eastern Washington (No. 195)
Javin Hunter, WR, Notre Dame (No. 206)
Chester Taylor, RB, Toledo (No. 207)
Chad Williams, S, Southern Mississippi (No. 209)
Wes Pate, QB, Stephen F. Austin (No. 236)

Class Accolades: Ed Reed - NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, 4-time All-Pro, 6 Pro Bowls, 46 career interceptions, 12 defensive touchdowns, No. 1 in interceptions in 2004 and 2008,
Chester Taylor - 2,336 total offensive yards, 7 touchdowns in 4 seasons with Baltimore.
Anthony Weaver -14.5 sacks in 54 starts with Baltimore.
Dave Zastudil - 4-year Ravens' starter.
Terry Jones - 2-year Ravens' starter, 50 total receptions, and five touchdowns.

Overall Draft Analysis: The Ravens' drafted one of the decade's most talented defenders with the No. 24 selection, Ed Reed. Reed emerged as, arguably, the most valuable player for one of the decade's most dominant defenses and one of the league's greatest defensive playmakers. The former Hurricane free safety guided the Ravens to a fourth playoff berth in 2009, while impressively ranking No. 1 in career interceptions and returns for touchdowns, amongst active players selected during the past decade. Weaver respectably complimented Reed and the Ravens vaunted defense for four seasons, as a starting defensive end with Baltimore. The fourth-round punter, Zastudil, proved an average or below average punter in four seasons with the Ravens. Brightful assumed kick returning duties during a brief stint in Baltimore, ranking No. 9 in yards per return in 2003.

Additionally, the team drafted five offensive players in 2002, including a pair of disappointing wide receivers. Hunter and Johnson combined for merely 16 receptions with the Ravens, while the fifth-rounder, Jones, serviceably amassed 50 receptions and five total touchdowns in 29 career starts with Baltimore. The versatile backup rusher, Taylor, emerged as the team's most valuable offensive selection, totaling 105 receptions and seven touchdowns, during four seasons with the Ravens. Ultimately, the Ravens' '02 class garners inclusion in the decade's top 25 drafts, after selecting one of the decade's most transcendent defenders in future Hall-of-Famer, Ed Reed, along with an average supporting cast, most notably, Taylor and Weaver.

The Ravens' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
No. 24 - S Ed Reed, No. 52 - DE Aaron Kampman, No. 112 - P Dave Zastudil, No. 123 - WR Ronald Curry, No. 155 - TE Robert Royal, No. 195 - CB , No. 206 - WR David Givens, No. 207 - RB Chester Taylor, No. 209 - S Ryan Clark (Undrafted), No. 236 - QB Shaun Hill (Undrafted).

References: All statistics and draft results as reflected on NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.