Whether it be due to rule changes or departures, the jersey number carousel is spinning fast heading into the 2023 season.
Rookies and free agents have had their numbers assigned, but multiple players have also changed jersey numbers -- including a pair of talented second-year players -- due to availability.
First things first, here are the numbers that will be assigned to the 7-player crop of drafted rookies:
- DT Bryan Bresee: 90 (In 2022: Tanoh Kpassagnon)
- DE Isaiah Foskey: 55
- QB Jake Haener: 14 (In 2022: Andy Dalton)
- S Jordan Howden: 31
- RB Kendre Miller: 25 (in 2022: Daniel Sorenson)
- WR A.T. Perry: 17
- OL Nick Saldiveri: 64
Next the incoming free agent class:
- S Johnathan Abram: 24 (in 2022: Dwayne Washington)
- S Ugo Amadi: 0 (rule change allows this number to be worn)
- QB Derek Carr: 4 (in 2022: Blake Gillikin
- WR Bryan Edwards: 11
- TE Miller Forristall: 86
- DB Lonnie Johnson Jr.: 28
- OT Storm Norton: 72 (previously worn by Terron Armstead)
- DT Khalen Saunders: 99 (in 2022: Shy Tuttle)
- DT Nathan Shepherd: 93 (in 2022: David Onyemata)
- RB Jamaal Williams: 30
But it's the jersey changes that are most notable, particularly as they pertain to a pair of players entering Year 2.
Here are the jersey number changes thus far:
- CB Alontae Taylor: 1 (was 27; formerly Marquez Callaway)
- WR Rashid Shaheed: 22 (was 89; formerly Mark Ingram after departure or C.J. Gardner-Johnson)
- P Blake Gillikin: 5 (previously 4; gave up number to Carr)
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon: 92 (was 90; formerly Marcus Davenport)
In the end jersey number changes are completely cosmetic, but it's something to keep in mind if any fans were looking to pick up a Shaheed or Taylor jersey after their impressive rookie campaigns. Numbers have also been assigned to the crop of UDFAs, however those numbers will often change following camp so they are not listed here.
Next up for the Saints is rookie minicamp from May 12-14, following by three sets of OTAs, then a mandatory minicamp in June prior to the full training camp, which is expected to start in late July.
