The New Orleans Saints have just released their 2025 draft class jersey numbers for next season. All nine rookies have chosen their numbers for next season.
Number 71 was up for grab following the retirement of Ryan Ramczyk. It was quickly swept up by first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. In a sense, this can be seen as passing the torch from a former great offensive tackle to a new one.
Tyler Shough was reportedly trying to decide between numbers 6 and 18. After an endorsement from former punter Thomas Morstead, he chose No. 6. Willie Gay Jr. and Marcus Maye recently wore this uniform but it’s best known with Morstead in his 12 years in New Orleans. Now, it shifts to the rookie quarterback.
Some premier defensive lineman have worn No. 91, including Will Smith and Trey Hendrickson. The number was available following the departure of Kendal Vickers late in the season. Third-round pick Vernon Broughton claimed it and will be the newest defensive lineman to rock No. 91.
Jonas Sanker chose No. 31 to be his new number in the NFL. It was recently worn by fellow safety, Jordan Mims, and is most notably associated with Jabari Greer from 2010-2013.
17 players have worn No. 47 in Saints history. That number will soon increase with Danny Stutsman. Khaleke Hudson is the most recent player to wear it and has been seen on Alex Anzalone and Kevin Houser.
Quincy Riley will wear No. 29 this season. This number was open after Paulson Adebo left for the Giants this offseason. Adebo, Sammy Knight and Chris Ivory are other players who have worn this number.
Devin Neal will wear No. 30 to start the year. Roderic Teamer is the most recent Saint to don the number. It’s possible that he switches to his college number, 4, if the team moves on from Derek Carr.
Moliki Matavao will suit up with No. 80 to start the year. He will be donning the same number as Saints legend Jimmy Graham. The number was most recently worn by Jermaine Jackson.
The Saints final pick of the draft was Fadil Diggs. Diggs will wear No. 40. This number has been vacant since 2022 when linebacker Chase Hansen wore it.
The numbers can be changed when the team shaves the roster down to 53 men, but this is what the rookie class will be wearing at the moment. It's interest to see how many rookies in the class have numbers that belonged to their predecessors. Ramczyk to Banks and Adebo to Riley are the biggest examples of what feels like a coincidental passing down of numbers.