Back in April, the NFL approved a proposal to change the way jersey numbers are assigned. Defensive backs can now wear 1 to 49, linebackers 1 to 59/90 to 99, and defensive ends 50 to 70/90 to 99.
Jaylon Smith and Donovan Wilson took advantage of this new rule back in May. The former changed to No. 9 and the latter switched to No. 6 which were the numbers they wore in college. Trevon Diggs, Jabril Cox, Jayron Kearse, Nahshon Wright, and Azur Kamara will also sport new jersey numbers according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.
Diggs saw much success wearing the No. 7 at Alabama. He was a member of the Crimson Tide’s 2018 National Championship team. Also, he received First-Team All-SEC and Third-Team All-American honors in 2019. The man who will dawn his old No. 27, Kearse, wore the same number for his first four seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings. He logged 578 snaps at safety with five starts but nearly doubled that on special teams with 1,015.
Cox returns to wearing a number in the teens like his one season at LSU when he wore the No. 19. The talented rookie logged 352 coverage snaps for the Tigers and didn’t allow a touchdown and wasn’t penalized while defending 41 targets (amassed three interceptions as well).
Wright will once again rock a number in the ’20s like his Oregon State days when he wore the No. 21 for the Beavers. He’s made quite the impression during the offseason program and training camp, and with fellow rookie Kelvin Joseph headed to injured reserve with a groin injury, Wright will have an opportunity to earn significant snaps at cornerback.
Kamara is one of the feel-good stories for the Cowboys. A native of West Africa, Kamara made the Cowboy’s official 53-man roster. That could change in the coming days. However, if he can find the kind of success wearing the No. 54 as the aforementioned Smith did early in his career he may be in Dallas for quite some time as a depth piece at defensive end.
The last number change reported was rookie Defensive Tackle Osa Odighizuwa who switched from 75 to 97. His old college number, 92, is occupied by 2018 fifth-round pick Dorance Armstrong.
