Patriots Assign Veteran Numbers; JuJu's Jersey?
FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots move further into organized team activities (OTAs,) a significant focus will continue to be placed on the newest members of the team.
Accordingly, the Pats announced on Wednesday the number assignments for their 2023 free agent acquisitions, as well as a few holdovers making a switch from last season.
Conspicuous from their absence from this list are New England’s rookies. In keeping with team tradition, the Pats rookie class will likely receive its official jersey numbers prior to their first preseason game. Until then, the first-year Patriots will be wearing numbers in the 50s and 60s based on draft status.
In that vein, here is a look as some of the most notable jersey number assignments for the 2023 Patriots:
No. 3: RB James Robinson
He became the fourth undrafted player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his rookie season (1,079) along with earning the record for most scrimmage yards of any rookie free agent in NFL history with 1,414. However an ACL tear in 2021 derailed his progress, and eventually led to his trade from the Jags to the New York Jets in October. Robinson will look to recapture some of his rookie magic in New England, wearing a single-digit jersey for the first time in his pro career.
No. 5: S Jabrill Peppers
While Peppers did not illuminate the stat sheet as much as he likley would have preferred in 2022, he played well enough to earn a return to New England on two-year contract signed in March. Peppers logged 60 total tackles (two of which went for loss) and one fumble recovery. He will once again don the number 5, which he also wore during his collegiate career at Michigan.
No. 7: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Smith-Schuster signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Patriots this offseason, with the expectation of enhancing the team’s ability to gain significant yards after the catch. The talented wideout earned 141 yards above expectation last season, while 5.8 yards-after-catch per reception. By comparison, the entire Patriots’ receiving corps combined gained just 33 yards after the catch in 2022. Despite having worn No. 19 during his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and No. 9 as his college number at USC, as well as with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022, Smith-Schuster wear No. 7 in New England.
No. 45: LB/ST Chris Board
Perhaps best known by Patriots fans as the player to which Bill Belichick once referred as “the best special teams player we’ll play against,” Board joined the Pats on a two-year pact during the offseason. Since his rookie season in 2018, he has been a special teams standout, logging 1721 snaps within various coverage units. He is also a capable reserve linebacker, earning 115 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in four years with the Baltimore Ravens and one with the Detroit Lions. Having worn No. 49 for the length of his pro career to date, Board makes the switch to No. 45
No. 74: OT Riley Reiff
Reiff and the Patriots agreed to a $5 million contract with $4.15 million guaranteed shortly after the start of the league year in March. At 6-6, 313 pounds, Reiff possess the necessary size to provide adequate protection in both the passing and the run games. Yet, his versatility may have been the deciding factor in New England's interest in his services. During his previous stops with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears, Reiff has effectively played both right and left tackle. With his customary No. 71 occupied by Michael Onwenu, Reiff as agreed to wear No. 74.
No. 76: OT Calvin Anderson
Anderson arrives for his second-tour old duty with the Pats, having began his career as an undrafted free agent in 2019. After his subsequent releases from New England and the New York Jets respectively, Andreson saw action in 41 games making 12 starts for the Denver Broncos over the next four seasons. Anderson’s best season came in 2022, where he played on 47 percent of the Broncos’ offensive snaps — most of which came at left tackle. Per Pro Football Focus, he gave up two sacks last season as well as 15 additional quarterback pressures. He will wear No. 76, most recently vacated by former Pats offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn.
No. 88: TE Mike Gesicki
After spending his first five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Gesicki signed with New England as an unrestricted free agent on a one-year deal. The 27-year-old is a gifted pass catcher, who has hauled in 62.4 percent of his passes, 18 of which went for touchdowns, during his five-year tenure with Miami. He possesses both the size and speed to be effective as a receiver out the slot, or even out wide. Though he wore No. 86 in his first season with Miami, he will don his customary No. 88 in New England this season.
Here is the complete list of new Patriots numbers, courtesy of Patriots.com:
The media will get its first look at the 2023 Patriots as OTAs continue on the practice fields adjacent to Gillette Stadium.
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