New Orleans Saints: Newest members announce their jersey numbers
After the rush of the NFL Draft and free agency period, rosters get updated with the team’s newest talent, and with that comes jersey number changes.
Let’s dive right into the newest New Orleans Saints jersey number changes, so you won’t be confused when the team hits the gridiron this fall.
Let’s start off with the Saints’ free-agent signings. Safety Malcolm Jenkins was signed to a four year, 32 million dollar contract to replace Vonn Bell at the strong safety position.
Jenkins likely wanted the usual number he’s had throughout his entire career, the number 27, and it was given to him. Saints running back Dwayne Washington had the number but he switched to Vonn Bell’s number 24.
The Saints also brought in wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders who requested to keep his number 17 in the big easy. He held onto it and practice squad receiver Emmanuel Butler switched over to the number 18.
TommyLee Lewis was brought in to compete for a roster spot and both of his former numbers with New Orleans were taken when he came back. His former number eleven is taken by Pro Bowl return specialist Deonte Harris and his other former number of 87 is taken by Pro Bowl tight end Jared Cook.
Lewis chose to settle with the number fifteen. Fullback Mike Burton will wear the number 32 in his second stint with the Saints as well.
More from Who Dat Dish
- Are the Saints playoff contenders or pretenders in 2022?
- 3 takeaways from Saints unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason opener
- Saints 2022 Training Camp: Top 5 takeaways from Day 13
- 3 things to know about new Saints QB K.J. Costello
- Kirk Merritt could be a difficult player for the Saints to cut
Jameis Winston was brought in after the 2020 NFL Draft and he announced in an online press conference that his favorite number has always been two and he will wear it in the black and gold since he was unable to in college thanks to it being retired at Florida State due to Deion Sanders being freakishly good.
Newly-acquired defensive end Margus Hunt will sport the number 69 in the black and gold, a number he has never worn before in the NFL.
Now, let’s move onto the rookies. First-round pick Cesar Ruiz will rock the number 51 like he did at Michigan. The number 51 has also been worn by Saints legendary linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Sam Mills in the past.
Third round picks Zack Baun and Adam Trautman announced they will be sporting new numbers. Baun was unable to his college number of 56 so he went three digits down to 53 formerly worn by AJ Klein.
Trautman was unable to snag his college number of 84 so he picked number 82 which was last worn by the less than ideal Coby Fleener.
Seventh-round pick Tommy Stevens was originally going to wear the number two before Jameis Winston took it so he settled with the number one joining Tua Tagovailoa as the only other rookie signal-caller to sport the number.
The Saints’ undrafted free agents pretty much were just given whatever was leftover. Joe Bachie Jr. will wear the number 58 in the black and gold. Wide receiver Marquez Callaway will sport the number 12 formerly worn by New Orleans legendary wideout Marques Colston.
Next. Top 30 players in New Orleans Saints’ history. dark
Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach will wear the number 76 on the stacked Saints defensive line. That said, you can see the full list of numbers on the team’s website here.