Deadspin | Who is wearing the NFL's lowest numbers? (2024)

The NFL opened up the lower range of the number spectrum this year, allowing players all over the field to wear uniforms 1 through 19. So, how’s it going? It bothers Tom Brady a bit to see defensive players wearing single digits, we know that, but not too many even are. It’s still a fresh thing, and players are looking to find their niche.

More players at more positions will move into these numerical slots as time goes on and it becomes more normal. For now, here’s a look at the distribution of each low number across the NFL, how they resonate, and who the best player is with each jersey (in bold).

You’ve got to be high on yourself to pick No. 1, so it makes sense that a lot of wide receivers, who tend toward divadom in the NFL, have staked it out. You’ll see it on plenty of quarterbacks, too, and pound-for-pound, it’s the best quarterback number in the league right now. Nobody looks bad wearing No. 1 unless they’re getting lit up on the field, in which case you look extra bad. High risk, high reward.

WR: Marquez Callaway, Saints; Parris Campbell, Colts; DeAndre Carter, Football Team; Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals; Jaelon Darden, Buccaneers; D’Wayne Eskridge, Seahawks; K.J. Hamler, Broncos; DeSean Jackson, Rams; Emmanuel Sanders, Bills; Ced Wilson, Cowboys

QB: Justin Fields, Bears; Jalen Hurts, Eagles; Kyler Murray, Cardinals; Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

DB: Quinton Dunbar, Lions; Lonnie Johnson, Texans; Jimmie Ward, 49ers

RB: Travis Etienne, Jaguars; Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City

K: Greg Joseph, Vikings; Chase McLaughlin, Browns

P: Ty Long, Chargers

Deuces wild! An underrated option for a running back, a good option for a wide receiver option out of 11, a perfectly cromulent choice for a kicker, and a quarterback’s number that never quite feels right. The only player in the Hall of Fame who primarily wore No. 2 was Charley Trippi, and that was more than half a century ago — he played for the Cardinals… the Chicago Cardinals.

QB: Mike Glennon, Giants; Tyler Huntley, Ravens; Mason Rudolph, Steelers; Matt Ryan, Falcons; Easton Stick, Chargers; Kyle Trask, BuccaneersBuccanneers; Carson Wentz, Colts; Zach Wilson, Jets; Jameis Winston, Saints

WR: Dyami Brown, Football Team; Julio Jones, Titans; D.J. Moore, Panthers; Chris Thompson, 49ers; Albert Wilson, Dolphins; Robert Woods, Rams

K: Tyler Bass, Bills; Daniel Carlson, Raiders; Mason Crosby, Packers; Evan McPherson, Bengals; Cairo Santos, Bears; Greg Zuerlein, Cowboys

DB: Dicaprio Bootle, Kansas City; Rayshawn Jenkins, Jaguars; Jalen Mills, Patriots; Darius Slay, Eagles; Pat Surtain, Broncos

RB: Chase Edmonds, Cardinals; Mark Ingram, Texans

LB: Austin Bryant, Lions

The kickerest of numbers, as it’s how many points you hope to score with the boot, and it remains populated by plenty of leg men. Interestingly, some defensive backs are looking to make it their own — you see a lot more in college with 1 or 2. Get a superstar DB with 3, and maybe we’ll be on to something.

QB: C.J. Beathard, Jaguars; Dwayne Haskins, Steelers; Drew Lock, Broncos; Nathan Peterman, Raiders; Russell Wilson, Seahawks

DB: Budda Baker, Cardinals; Caleb Farley, Titans; Steven Nelson, Eagles; Jaquiski Tartt, 49ers

K: Rodrigo Blankenship, Colts; Dustin Hopkins, Football Team; Wil Lutz, Saints; Ryan Succop, Buccaneers

P: Joseph Berry, Vikings; Joseph Charlton, Panthers; Jack Fox, Lions; Matt Haack, Bills

WR: Will Fuller, Dolphins; Anthony Miller, Texans; Sterling Shepard, Giants

LB: L.J. Fort, Ravens; Mykal Walker, Falcons

This should be the prime (square) number for punters, who do their work on fourth down. Oh, fourth down, here comes No. 4, the punter. It’s fine for kickers, too. It’s always been weird for quarterbacks, even when Brett Favre made it his own, but here we are, with 4 still a quarterback-heavy number.

QB: Derek Carr, Raiders; Chase Daniel, Chargers; Jake Fromm, Bills; Sam Ehlinger, Colts; Ryan Griffin, Buccaneers; Taylor Heinicke, Football Team; Chad Henne, Kansas City; Dak Prescott, Cowboys; Brett Rypien, Broncos; Reid Sinnett, Dolphins; Jarrett Stidham, Patriots; Deshaun Watson, Texans

P: Michael Dickson, Seahawks; Blake Gillikin, Saints; Sam Koch, Ravens; Thomas Morstead, Jets

K: Randy Bullock, Titans; Jake Elliott, Eagles; Josh Lambo, Jaguars; Austin Seibert, Lions

DB: Jordan Fuller, Rams; Eddie Jackson, Bears; Emmanuel Moseley, 49ers

WR: Rondale Moore, Cardinals; Tajae Sharpe, Falcons

LB: Jermaine Carter, Panthers; Anthony Walker, Bengals

One of the least football numbers around. What the heck is 5 in this sport? A reason to laugh at an Iowa game on Saturday, sure, but this is the NFL. There’s no 5s here. The whole thing reeks of not being able to get a number you really wanted, then just thinking, well, nobody else is gonna want 5, I’ll be safe there.

QB: Teddy Bridgewater, Broncos; Joshua Dobbs, Steelers; Bryan Hoyer, Patriots; Case Keenum, Browns; Trey Lance, 49ers; A.J. McCarron, Falcons; Tyrod Taylor, Texans; Mike White, Jets; Logan Woodside, Titans

P: Bryan Anger, Cowboys; Michael Palardy, Dolphins; Tommy Townsend, Kansas City; Tress Way, Football Team

WR: Hollywood Brown, Ravens; Quartney Davis, Colts; Josh Palmer, Chargers; Marquez Stevenson, Bills

K: Graham Gano, Giants; Jason Myers, Seahawks; Matt Prater, Cardinals

DB: Rudy Ford, Jaguars; Jalen Ramsey, Rams; Tye Smith, Vikings

LB: Kwon Alexander, Saints; Divine Deablo, Raiders

A plurality of punters take ownership of 6, the number of points scored on a touchdown. More defensive backs have to get over here and embrace becoming the 6 who goes for a Pick 6. They just have to wrestle it away from those punters. Shouldn’t be too hard.

P: A.J. Cole, Raiders; Pressley Harvin III, Browns; Johnny Hekker, Rams; Brett Kern, Titans; Sam Martin, Broncos

QB: Jeff Driskel, Texans; Baker Mayfield, Browns; Jalen Morton, Colts; P.J. Walker, Panthers

K: Matt Ammendola, Jets; Nick Folk, Patriots; Aldrick Rosas, Saints

WR: Mohamed Sanu, 49ers; DeVonta Smith, Eagles; Tyrell Williams, Lions

DB: Quandre Diggs, Seahawks; Trill Williams, Dolphins; Donovan Wilson, Cowboys

DE: Dante Fowler Jr., Falcons

LB: Patrick Queen, Ravens

RB: James Conner, Cardinals

A classic quarterback number remains so for now, but it also works for kickers who love to add extra points. The scoring numbers are weird for punters, but 7 is considered a lucky number for lots of folks, so whoever wants to wear it, cool.

QB: Joe Flacco, Eagles; Taysom Hill, Saints; Trace McSorley, Ravens; Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers; Geno Smith, Seahawks; Davis Webb, Bills

K: Harrison Butker, Kansas City; Ka’imi Fairbairn, Texans; Younghoe Koo, Falcons; Tucker McCann, Titans; Jason Sanders, Dolphins

DB: Trevon Diggs, Cowboys; Byron Murphy, Cardinals; Patrick Peterson, Vikings

P: Jake Bailey, Patriots; Corey Bojorquez, Packers; Jamie Gillan, Browns

LB: Shaq Thompson, Panthers

RB: Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers

WR: Zay Jones, Raiders

Open for all. Nobody looks wrong wearing 8, as is being shown by the number being worn by players at nine different positions around the NFL. It’s still a little awkward to see a defensive lineman wearing a single digit, but also, somehow it works. The more the merrier.

QB: Brandon Allen, Bengals; Kyle Allen, Football Team; Kirk Cousins, Vikings; Lamar Jackson, Ravens; Daniel Jones, Giants; Marcus Mariota, Raiders; Matt Moore, Kansas City

P: Bradley Pinion, Buccaneers; Rigoberto Sanchez, Colts; Arryn Siposs, Eagles

WR: Allen Hurns, Dolphins; Elijah Moore, Jets; Amari Rodgers, Packers

LB: Ja’Whaun Bentley, Patriots; Jamie Collins, Lions; Melvin Ingram, Steelers

DB: Terrence Brooks, Texans; Jaycee Horn, Panthers

K: Matt Gay, Rams; Brandon McManus, Broncos

DE: Carlos Dunlap, Seahawks

TE: Kyle Pitts, Falcons

RB: Damien Williams, Bears

Make your move, linebackers! The quarterback roster at 9 is thin, and receivers are staying away from it. This is a wide-open opportunity to take a number and make it synonymous with a position.

QB: Blake Bortles, Packers; Joe Burrow, Bengals; Jacob Eason, Colts; Nick Foles, Bears; Sean Mannion, Vikings; Matthew Stafford, Rams

LB: Matt Judon, Patriots; Kenneth Murray, Chargers; Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals; Jaylon Smith, Cowboys; Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers

P: Chris Boswell, Steelers; Logan Cook, Jaguars; Riley Dixon, Giants; Cameron Nizialek, Falcons

K: Robbie Gould, 49ers; Justin Tucker, Ravens

DB: Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins; D.J. Reed, Seahawks

WR: Kendall Hinton, Broncos

TE: Brevin Jordan, Texans

A backup quarterback’s number, apologies to Justin Herbert. But even Eli Manning was like his family’s backup quarterback. Not as good as 11 for wide receivers, but very good nonetheless, and that’s the direction where 10 is headed.

WR: Braxton Berrios, Jets; Ventell Bryant, Panthers; Damiere Byrd, Bears; Dez Fitzpatrick, Titans; Tyreek Hill, Kansas City; DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals; Jerry Jeudy, Broncos; Cooper Kupp, Rams; Scott Miller, Buccaneers; Jaylon Moore, Ravens; Dezmon Patmon, Colts; Curtis Samuel, Football Team; Anthony Schwartz, Browns; Laviska Shenault Jr., Jaguars; Tre’Quan Smith, Saints

QB: David Blough, Lions; Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers; Justin Herbert, Chargers; Mac Jones, Patriots; Jordan Love, Packers; Davis Mills, Texans; Gardner Minshew, Eagles; Cooper Rush, Cowboys; Mitchell Trubisky, Bills

DE: Benson Mayowa, Seahawks

P: Kevin Huber, Bengals

The absolute coolest number for a wide receiver, two straight lines that make a fast guy look even faster. It’s 88 for a new generation. Everybody at another position who’s wearing 11 is wasting good fabric that could have been used to make a receiver look spectacular. Find another number, there are plenty of them.

WR: Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers; Robby Anderson, Panthers; Cole Beasley, Bills; A.J. Brown, Titans; Chase Claypool, Steelers; Julian Edelman, Patriots; Deonte Harris, Saints; Marvin Jones, Jaguars; Denzel Mims, Jets; Darnell Mooney, Bears; Jason Moore, Chargers; DeVante Parker, Dolphins; Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns; Michael Pittman, Colts; James Proche, Ravens; Kalif Raymond, Lions; Demacus Robinson, Kansas City; Henry Ruggs III, Raiders; Cam Sims, Football Team; Diontae Spencer, Broncos; Trent Taylor, Bengals; Cody Thompson, Seahawks

QB: Blaine Gabbert, Buccaneers; Kellen Mond, Vikings

LB: Micah Parsons, Cowboys

DB: Darious Williams, Rams

P: Cameron Johnston, Texans

The most successful number for winning Super Bowls as a quarterback, even before Tom Brady came along. But it’s falling out of favor with signal-callers now — the youngest QB wearing it is 35 years old. But it also hasn’t caught on with star receivers. We’ll see what happens in the years to come with the dirty dozen.

WR: Rashod Bateman, Ravens; Nico Collins, Texans; Gehrig Dieter, Kansas City; DeMichael Harris, Colts; Van Jefferson, Rams; Mason Kinsey, Titans; Joe Reed, Chargers; Allen Robinson, Bears; John Ross, Giants; Jaleel Scott, Jets; Shi Smith, Panthers; Dede Westbrook, Vikings

QB: Tom Brady, Buccaneers; Colt McCoy, Cardinals; Aaron Rodgers, Packers

DB: Mike Ford, Broncos

Wide receivers lead the league in brushing off triskaidekaphobia, it seems. There have been some great quarterbacks through the years to go with the “unlucky” number, from Dan Marino to Kurt Warner, but now it’s the jersey choice for a few of the top wideouts in the league.

WR: Keenan Allen, Chargers; Cameron Batson, Titans; Odell Beckham Jr., Browns; Christian Blake, Falcons; Brandin Cooks, Texans; Gabriel Davis, Bills; Phillip Dorsett, Jaguars; Devin Duvernay, Ravens; Alex Erickson, Panthers; Mike Evans, Buccaneers; Travis Fulgham, Eagles; Michael Gallup, Cowboys; T.Y. Hilton, Colts; Adam Humphries, Football Team; Richie James, 49ers; Christian Kirk, Cardinals; Allen Lazard, Packers; Dante Pettis, Giants; Byron Pringle, Kansas City; Hunter Renfrow, Raiders; Michael Thomas, Saints; James Washington, Steelers

QB: Jake Luton, Seahawks; John Wolford, Rams

DB: Michael Ojemudia, Broncos

It’s an underrated number that can really pop depending on the way the 4 is rendered in a team’s font. It’s also a couple of touchdowns. A classic number for quarterbacks and old-time wide receivers, that tradition continues today, with only a couple of other players jumping on it.

WR: Kawaan Baker, Saints; Justin Blackmon, Jaguars; Stefan Diggs, Bills; Russell Gage, Falcons; Chris Godwin, Buccaneers; Jalen Hurd, 49ers; Ray-Ray McCloud, Steelers; D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks; D.J. Montgomery, Jets; Zach Pascal, Colts; Cornell Powell, Kansas City; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions; Courtland Sutton, Broncos; Sammy Watkins, Ravens

QB: Jacoby Brissett, Dolphins; Andy Dalton, Bears; Sam Darnold, Panthers; Ryan Fitzpatrick, Football Team; DeShone Kizer, Titans

RB: Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles

LB: Jabril Cox, Cowboys

P: Andy Lee, Cardinals

On the one hand, 15 represents five field goals, which would be an amazing day for a kicker. On the other hand, no kicker looks good with a number in the teens, which is why you don’t see it. It’s either got to be really low, or really weird. There’s nothing weird about 15. The pick for who is the best with it right now is, also not weird at all.

WR: Nelson Agholor, Patriots; Tutu Atwell, Rams; Cyril Grayson, Buccaneers; Jalen Guyton, Chargers; Jauan Jennings, 49ers; Collin Johnson, Giants; Jake Kumerow, Bills; Dax Milne, Football Team; J.J. Nelson, Colts; Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Vikings; Ryan Switzer, Browns; John Ursua, Seahawks; Nsimba Webster, Bears; Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Titans; Cody White, Steelers

QB: Feleipe Franks, Falcons; Will Grier, Cowboys; Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City; Trevor Siemian, Saints; Chris Streveler, Cardinals

P: Oscar Draguicevich, Panthers

LB: Jean Phillips, Dolphins

Quickly becoming a receiver number, with a few quarterbacks mixed in. You don’t see 16 come up in a lot of football scores. It’s square, so it’s got that going for it. The mid-to-upper teens are a snooze.

WR: Tyrie Cleveland, Broncos; Ashton Dulin, Colts; Bennie Fowler, 49ers; Isaiah Hodgins, Bills; Trenton Irwin, Bengals; Travis Jonsen, Buccaneers; Tyler Lockett, Seahawks; Jakobi Meyers, Patriots; Whop Philyor, Vikings; Jeff Smith, Jets; Dillon Stoner, Raiders; Tylan Wallace, Ravens; Quez Watkins, Eagles; Derrick Willies, Browns; Brandon Zylstra, Panthers

QB: Ian Book, Saints; Jared Goff, Lions; Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars; Bryce Perkins, Rams; Josh Rosen, Falcons

P: Pat O’Donnell, Bears

K: Tristan Vizcaino, Chargers

“Mom, can we get 11?” “We already have 11 at home.” The 11 at home? Yeah, it’s 17. There are some good players rocking it, but 11 looks so cool on a football jersey, and 17 really does not. No slight to anyone who’s got it, but it’s not very exciting to see.

WR: Davante Adams, Packers; Trinity Benson, Lions; D.J. Chark, Jaguars; Matt Cole, Giants; Aaron Fuller, Seahawks; Mecole Hardman, Kansas City; Andy Isabella, Cardinals; Terry McLaurin, Football Team; Stanley Morgan, Bengals; K.J. Osborn, Vikings; Vincent Smith, Jets; Willie Snead, Raiders; Mike Strachan, Colts; Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins; Michael Walker, Eagles; Justin Watson, Buccaneers; Kristian Wilkerson, Patriots; Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons

QB: Josh Allen, Bills; Ryan Tannehill, Titans

RB: Nate McCary, Broncos

DB: Mark Gilbert, Steelers

What in the name of Peyton Manning? Not a single quarterback is wearing 18 in the entire NFL anymore? Seems hard to believe, especially because we’re at a point where some kids who grew up idolizing Manning are in the NFL, but not a single one is wearing the number. It’s almost all wideouts.

WR: C.J. Board, Giants; Randall Cobb, Packers; Chris Conley, Texans; A.J. Green, Cardinals; KhaDarel Hodge, Lions; Justin Jefferson, Vikings; Diontae Johnson, Steelers; Tyler Johnson, Buccaneers; Keith Kirkwood, Panthers; Jordan Matthews, 49ers; Jalen Reagor, Eagles; Josh Reynolds, Titans; Calvin Ridley, Falcons; Ben Skowronek, Rams; Matthew Slater, Patriots; Freddie Swain, Seahawks; Preston Williams, Dolphins

DB: Damontae Kazee, Cowboys

TE: Jesse James, Bears

P: Mitch Wishnowsky, 49ers

It’s all wide receivers. Nothing but wide receivers. If you see a 19 on an NFL field right now, there’s no confusion. That’s too bad, because it should be a good number for a linebacker, not to mention that Johnny Unitas wore it in his Hall of Fame career at quarterback. Maybe down the road. For now, plenty of options of guys to throw the ball to.

WR: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Eagles; Amari Cooper, Cowboys; Jakeem Grant, Dolphins; Kenny Golladay, Giants; Penny Hart, Seahawks; Isaiah McKenzie, Bills; JoJo Natson, Browns; Breshad Perriman, Bears; Malcolm Perry, Patriots; Andre Roberts, Texans; Deebo Samuel, 49ers; JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers; Equanimeous St. Brown, Packers; Adam Thielen, Vikings; D.J. Turner, Raiders; Seth Williams, Broncos