Broncos rookies pick their jersey numbers — for now

Broncos rookie minicamp began Friday, and with it came the debut of their rookie class — and numbers for those players.

But as with many things in the NFL — which stands for “Not For Long,” in the parlance of former Houston Oilers and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville — there can be an impermanence to the numbers given to members of the rookie class, too.

After all, do you remember Marvin Mims Jr. wearing number 83? Because that’s what he had the entire summer of his rookie season. Then, when the games started counting, he donned the No. 19 he’s made familiar in his ascent to All-Pro status.

🚨 Our #BroncosDraft class jersey numbers are here! 🚨

As always, numbers are subject to change.

📰 » https://t.co/g414D0VT2L pic.twitter.com/5KdyXMeh0S

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 9, 2025

Jahdae Barron will open in jersey number 12. At Texas, he wore No. 7, but earlier, he donned No. 23. In high school, he wore jersey No. 8. Of course, No. 7 is unavailable; it’s retired for John Elway. No. 8 belongs to Jarrett Stidham; No. 23 is in the hands of second-year running back Audric Estimé. The only single-digit jersey officially unclaimed at the current time is No. 4.

RJ Harvey will wear No. 37. He, too, won’t be able to wear his most recent college number — No. 7 — in Denver. Earlier in his Central Florida career, he donned No. 22. Harvey also wore No. 7 at Edgewater H.S. in Orlando.

For third-round receiver Pat Bryant, everything’s coming up Milhouse. He gets his college number right out of the gates — No. 13. He wore No. 3 in high school.

NFL jersey-number rules prevent third-round defensive end Sai’Vion Jones from wearing his LSU number of 35, so he’ll go with No. 95. It should look nice on him.

“SUBJECT TO CHANGE” CARRIES WEIGHT WITH BRONCOS ROOKIE NUMBERS

Just take the last two years as examples.

In 2024, two Denver rookies — wide receiver Devaughn Vele and Estimé — had new numbers by the regular season. Vele shifted from 81 to 17; Estimé changed from 37 to 23.

Heard you wanted these, #BroncosCountry …

🚨 Our #BroncosDraft class jersey numbers are here! 🚨

As always, numbers are subject to change.

📰 » https://t.co/TTazu7591r pic.twitter.com/A4bSNgtmHl

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 9, 2024

Of Denver’s five 2023 draft picks, only two — Riley Moss and Drew Sanders — played regular-season games in the jersey numbers they were issued when they first arrived. Sanders is the only member of that class of picks who still has his original number.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

Our #BroncosDraft pick numbers are in. 😎

📰 » https://t.co/rYL26kfmqQ

*Note: numbers are subject to change pic.twitter.com/xuQHmYu29B

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 11, 2023

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