The Baltimore Ravens released their rookie jersey numbers today. Here are our reactions and breakdowns of the new numbers.
Handing out jersey numbers to rookies is a fun tradition that the Baltimore Ravens typically save for a few weeks after the draft. The numbers were handed out on May 13 for the 2020 NFL Draft class and they all seem like great fits.
The Ravens official Twitter account has this video slide introducing all ten of their rookie’s jersey numbers:
Ready to rep.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 13, 2020
Rookie jersey #s ❗️❗️ pic.twitter.com/I65F1yaTdf
We knew that Patrick Queen was going to be given #48 early on and we love the fit. Queen is in the mold of the “modern” linebacker at 6’1″ 227-lbs. with lightning-quick speed and instincts. A jersey number in the 40s seems perfect for the 20-year old.
#48 was worn by Patrick Onwuasor in 2019 and he and Queen have similar skillsets.
Baltimore’s other rookie linebacker, Malik Harrison, was given #40. This is a noteworthy number, as he could start early on with Queen. The interesting part here is that headed into 2019 the Ravens had two linebackers wearing #48 and #40 pegged to start in the forms of the aforementioned Onwuasor and Kenny Young, who was traded midseason after being benched.
Perhaps this combination of #48 and #40 will pan out better than what the team thought they were getting last year.
#27 is a jersey number that simply looks great on a running back. Second-round pick J.K. Dobbins is going to be rocking that number for Baltimore this season. It’s a clean look, and Dobbins will be the first running back to wear #27 for the Ravens since Ray Rice in 2013.
Baltimore drafted two wide receivers in the third and sixth rounds in Devin Duvernay and James Proche respectively. Duvernay will be rocking #13 and Proche #11. Both rookies could have significant roles in 2020, as Duvernay’s speed and good hands project him well to the slot while Proche’s special team’s prowess could get him some returner reps.
The Ravens added two more defensive linemen to their stacked unit in Justin Madubuike (third round) and Broderick Washington (fifth round). The two will wear #92 and #96 respectively. Madubuike getting #92 is pretty significant, as #92 has been rocked by potential Hall of Famer and Baltimore Ravens legend Haloti Ngata. Madubuike has some awesome potential, but if he’s even a fraction of what Ngata was the Ravens got a steal.
To round out the jersey numbers, offensive linemen Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson got #74 and #67 respectively, while safety Geno Stone got #26.
All in all, these jersey numbers all look great for the incoming rookie class. None of the numbers look awkward at all, though I do wish one of the linebackers got a number in the 50s. The two rookie receivers rocking numbers in the low-teens looks great and Dobbins getting #27 might be the best looking of the bunch. If you’re someone who collects rookie jerseys, you have to be excited about these incoming numbers.