The New England Patriots have been pretty busy the last few weeks, making multiple transactions to fill out their offseason roster. The most notable of those transactions have come during the three two days of the 2016 NFL draft and in the days following the league's college player selection process.
Overall, the Patriots have picked up 17 rookies; nine during the draft, eight as undrafted free agents. Yesterday, the newest members of the team have been assigned their initial jersey numbers. Let's take a look at them (via patriots.com):
QB Jacoby Brissett: 7
CB V'Angelo Bentley: 9
WR Devin Lucien: 16
WR Malcolm Mitchell: 19
CB Cyrus Jones: 24
RB D.J. Foster: 27
CB Jonathan Jones: 31
CB Cre'Von LeBlanc: 35
TE Steven Scheu: 44
LB C.J. Johnson: 47
LB Kamu Grugier-Hill: 48
LB Elandon Roberts: 51
OG Joe Thuney: 62
DT Woodrow Hamilton: 74
OG Ted Karras: 75
TE Bryce Williams: 81
DT Vincent Valentine: 99
Obviously, some of those numbers are still subject to change. Cornerback V'Angelo Bentley, for example, would be ineligible to wear number 9 during the regular season as defensive backs are only allowed to wear numbers between 20 and 49.
Furthermore, some players might have to change jersey numbers – in case they make the roster – because they share them with others on the opposite side of the ball:
27: RB D.J. Foster & CB Darryl Roberts
44: TE Steven Scheu & LB Tony Steward
74: DT Woodrow Hamilton & OT Keavon Milton
Not only rookies are currently sharing jersey numbers, four veterans are as well:
36: RB Tyler Gaffney & SS Brandon King
65: OG Jonathan Cooper & DT Anthony Johnson