In case you missed it this spring, Bill Belichick was up to some new tricks with the rookies, not giving them numbers that fit their positions but instead just handing out numbers starting at 50 in order (h/t to NESN’s Doug Kyed for cracking that code).
Some rookie numbers that won’t stick:
Wynn 50
Michel 51
Dawson 52
Bentley 53
Sam 54
Berrios 55
Etling 58
Crossen 59
Izzo 60(Sense a pattern?)
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) May 22, 2018
Yup, right now the line in order of the picks, but still skipping the retired 56 (Andre Tippett) and 57 (Steve Nelson).
When training camp opens in 20 days everyone has to have actual numbers that fit their positions and even then players could again switch once cuts are made and other, better numbers become available. Yeah, it’s a good bet Christian Sam won’t be doubling up on 54 with Dont’a Hightower.
Let’s take a stab at which numbers would be good choices for the notable rookies.