The NFL voted this offseason to relax its restrictions on what number positional players can wear and folks are wasting no time calling dibs on a new look heading into 2021. So far, there are has been a wide array of veterans (and rookies) electing to take advantage of this new rule. Before we get into the full list of which players are making the change, let's take a quick look at what numbers are now available to specific positions.
Quarterback: 1-19
Running back: 1-49, 80-89
Wide receiver/tight end: 1-49, 80-89
Offensive line: 50-79
Defensive line: 50-79, 90-99
Linebacker: 1-59, 90-99
Defensive backs: 1-49
Kicker/punter: 1-19
Alright, let's get into who is set to sport a new number!
(Note: This list only reflects players taking advantage of the new rule change and not a number swap that would have previously been permitted)
| Player (Team) | Old number | New number |
|---|---|---|
| CB Jalen Ramsey | 20 | 5 |
CB Patrick Peterson (Vikings) | 21 | 7 |
S Budda Bakers (Cardinals) | 32 | 3 |
WR D.J. Moore (Panthers) | 12 | 2 |
WR Emmanuel Sanders (Bills) | 17 | 1 |
CB Darius Slay (Eagles) | 24 | 2 |
RB Leonard Fournette (Buccaneers) | 28 | 7 |
S Jordan Fuller (Rams) | 32 | 4 |
CB Jason Verett (49ers) | 22 | 2 |
| RB Chase Edmonds (Cardinals) | 29 | 2 |
| WR Sterling Shepard (Giants) | 87 | 3 |
| WR Paris Campbell (Colts) | 15 | 1 |
| WR Will Fuller (Dolphins) | 15 | 3 |
| WR Allen Hurns (Dolphins) | 17 | 8 |
| WR Robert Woods (Rams) | 17 | 2 |
| CB Darious Williams | 32 | 11 |
| WR Marquise Brown (Ravens) | 15 | 5 |
| LB Patrick Queen (Ravens) | 48 | 6 |
| S Eddie Jackson (Bears) | 39 | 4 |
| RB Damien Williams (Bears) | 26 | 8 |
| WR K.J. Hamler (Broncos) | 13 | 1 |
| RB Cam Akers (Rams) | 23 | 3 |
| WR DeSean Jackson (Rams) | 10 | 1 |
| RB Mark Ingram (Texans) | 21 | 2 |
| CB Jalen Mills (Patriots) | 31 | 2 |
| LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (Patriots) | 51 | 8 |
| CB Byron Murphy (Cardinals) | 33 | 7 |
| WR Lynn Bowden Jr. | 15 | 6 |
| RB James Conner (Cardinals) | 30 | 6 |
| FS Quandre Diggs (Seahawks) | 37 | 6 |
| LB Matt Judon (Patriots) | 99 | 9 |
| RB Travis Etienne (Jaguars) | N/A (rookie) | 1 |
| LB Jaylon Smith (Cowboys) | 54 | 9 |
| S Donovan Wilson (Cowboys) | 37 | 6 |
| LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Browns) | N/A (rookie | 28 |
| WR Elijah Moore (Jets) | N/A (rookie) | 8 |
| CB Jaycee Horn (Panthers) | N/A (rookie) | 8 |
| LB Zaven Collins (Cardinals) | N/A (rookie) | 25 |
| LB Micah Parsons (Cowboys) | N/A (rookie) | 11 |
| WR DeVonta Smith (Eagles) | N/A (rookie) | 6 |
| LB Joe Tryon (Buccaneers) | N/A (rookie) | 9 |
| WR Ja'Marr Chase (Bengals) | N/A (rookie) | 1 |
| CB Patrick Surtain II (Broncos) | N/A (rookie) | 2 |
| TE Kyle Pitts (Falcons) | N/A (rookie) | 8 |
| DE Carlos Dunlap (Seahawks) | 43 | 8 |
| CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Seahawks) | 23 | 2 |