2014 NFL Draft Class Jersey Number Grades 

By: Matt Harmon
5/17/2014
My dad always told me “son, it's better to look good than to play good”. Those words propelled me to become the man of high fashion I am today. With that, its time to hand out draft class grades based on the jersey numbers the 2014 rookies selected. 

The grades are assigned based on how the numbers the rookies chose to wear. Whether a numbers looks aesthetically pleasing carries the most weight for the grades. It can vary based on position (#13 looks great for QBs and hideous for WRs). However, historical success of the number is also taken into account.

Here are the fastest ways for a team to get docked a letter grade:
  • The first round pick took a bad jersey number
  • The #14 (the least aesthetically pleasing jersey number) is present in the class 
  • Multiple rookies picked ugly numbers or ones that don’t look good for their position

Of course, not all of these numbers will stick. Some players will change jerseys after training camp cuts take place. As they say, it takes at least three years to properly grade a draft class.

Nevertheless, draft grades must be done. Presentation is important. Aesthetics and fashion are crucial to a team’s success. Jersey numbers matter. 

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

After trading up for Sammy Watkins and staking their future on him, the Bills’ brain trust couldn’t have been thrilled with his number choice. Not only are most numbers in the teens almost universally unacceptable for WRs, but also #14 is the most hideous jersey number available to NFL players. None of the other numbers are egregious, and their offensive line choices are quite solid. But when your first-round pick is this aesthetically unpleasing, you cannot expect anything higher than a B.

Grade: B-
Miami Dolphins

Ja’Wuan James and Billy Turner took two solid jersey numbers. In fact, the #77 indicates Turner is likely a future stud on the line. Jarvis Landry selected the hideous #14 so they get dinged for that. Walt Aikens decision to wear #35 is a curious one. #35 makes him look like a fullback, not a starting corner. Jordan Tripp is the only other real issue. #57 is a pretty ugly number. The Linemen’s numbers save Miami from having a very poor grade.

Grade: C-
New York Jets

Calvin Pryor started things off very poorly by taking #35. Again, that’s not a very pleasing number for secondary players. Dexter McDougle also erred in selecting #43. What does he think he’s a hard-hitting safety? That sort of identity crisis doesn’t speak well to his NFL future. Jace Amaro made a solid selection with #88. That’s a good-looking number, and has a nice historical track record for tight ends. Enuwa took the worst number in the 80’s with #82. The Jets also have to be penalized for giving a LB a number in the 40’s. All in all, this was not a very good effort by New York.

Grade: D
New England Patriots

Dom Easley’s dominant film made him a favorite prospect for a lot of draftniks. It’s a real shame he had to throw his career away with such a terrible number choice. #74 is a fine pick for offensive linemen, but it looks very silly on defensive linemen. He won’t scary anyone looking like that. James White took a historically great number for his position. The Pats must be awarded for a player taking #69 (a humorous crowd pleaser). Nothing really egregious outside of Easley, but again, such a poor first round limits your grade.

Grade: B

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

Darqueze Dennard started things off right for the Bengals. #21 is both an aesthetically pleasing, and historically great number. Instant homerun. Jeremy Hill and Will Clarke followed that with a couple good looking numbers. #86 is a rather unattractive jersey number, but James Wright doesn’t figure to garner much attention. In typical fashion, AJ McCarron made a rather uninspiring jersey choice. #5 is a very good-looking number, but has some pretty poor historical significance. For a “winner”, he took a real loser’s number.

Grade: B+
Cleveland Browns

Wow, what a great effort by Cleveland. All of these numbers are aesthetically pleasing. Johnny Manziel’s choice of #2 is a bit of a double-edged sword (Browns’ washout Tim Couch wore #2). But if you were punishing players for taking numbers of bad former Browns’ players, no one would get a jersey. Manziel will almost certainly make #2 his own and inject some life into that jersey. There are prettier numbers than #26 for a CB, but Desir’s choice is still solid. You’re nitpicking if you’re poking holes in this handsome class of jersey numbers.

Grade: A
Baltimore Ravens

The 2014 class is a pretty bad look for Baltimore. I refuse to believe C.J. Mosley couldn’t do better than staying pat with #57. All the classic and good-looking linebacker numbers, and he takes that; very questionable decision. Timmy Jernigan’s choice is an example of how position matters. #97 is pretty sexy for edge pass rushers, but looks rather silly on run-stuffing interior linemen. All of their other picks are solid, and Gilmore and Tallafero’s really stand out. Michael Campanaro is stuck with a bad and stupid looking number for his position. But it will likely change after or during training camp.

Grade: D+
Pittsburgh Steelers

This is a good-looking group of numbers. The only real issues here are Daniel McCullers and Martavias Bryant. WRs in the teens and defensive linemen in the 70’s are both no-nos. Ryan Shazier’s choice of #50 seems to fit him very well. He’s an athletic player, and his number speaks to that. Dri Archer and Rob Blanchflower’s choices of great numbers indicate they may have brighter futures than just that of role players.

Grade: B+

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts only had five choices, but this is an average look for them. Jack Mewhort’s #75 is a middling choice for a lineman, and doesn’t scream greatness. Donte Moncrief’s #10 is a known foul, but not the worst WR teen number out there. Their late round picks took some nice looking, and historically great numbers, so maybe there’s hope yet.

Grade: C
Jacksonville Jaguars

Well, this is a bit of a mixed bag. Blake Bortles kept his #5, which as we know, is a bit of a tough case. #5 will look great on a big, strapping passer like Bortles, but we’ve said that about others who went on to fail (Kerry Collins anyone?). Marqise Lee took #11, which is one of the few teen numbers that WRs can pull off. But the Jags have some rough history with that number, and Allen Robinson’s #80. You have to have some concerns there even if the numbers look great. Aaron Colvin is the only true bad choice. CBs wearing numbers in the 40’s are just generally a bad looking group. Every other jersey pick is very good, so it’s hard to give Jacksonville a bad grade. We’ll go with a hesitantly optimistic choice, because of good aesthetics.

Grade: B-
Houston Texans

The Texans look well on their way to turning this franchise around with a stellar group of jersey numbers. Jadeveon Clowney will look the part of a number one overall choice as a pass rusher sporting the #90. Everyone knows to fear DEs wearing that jersey. Xavier Su’a-Filo (#70), C.J. Fiedorowicz (#87) and Louis Nix III (#92) all took handsome numbers for their position. They’ll look great out on the field rocking those jerseys. Tom Savage took a historically poor QB number. He seems to have sealed his fate as a washout in the NFL. Andre Hal’s #38 is the only aesthetically unpleasing number choice. It’s the seventh round so its hard to be too harsh if the number isn’t completely egregious.

Grade: A
Tennessee Titans

The Titans had one of the best Jersey number classes. Taylor Lewan made a great choice for an OT with #77. Bishop Sankey’s number will look great as he runs up and down the field. Zach Mettenberger’s choice to take #7 has to inspire some confidence. That’s a slick number and has belonged to some of the stars at the position. #54 and #28 were solid picks for Avery Williamson and Marqueston Huff, respectively. The only ding here comes from DaQuan Jones. #75 just isn’t made for defensive linemen. All in all, you can’t do much better than this.

Grade: A

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Denver doesn’t seem to want that Super Bowl run by the looks of their draft class. #29 is an average at best choice for a cornerback, and Bradley Roby could have done better. Cody Latimer was one of many rookie WRs to make a bad jersey number choice. #14 is the worst of them all. #79 for Michael Schoefield is the only nice choice here. #57 is not a pretty number for linebackers, and Lamin Barrow really let down his team. Denver takes a hit with their last pick being a linebacker with a number in the 40’s. Peyton Manning can’t be happy with this aesthetically unpleasing class.

Grade: F
San Diego Chargers

Jason Verrett made a controversial choice in San Diego with #22. Chargers’ fans have some pretty poor memories of that number getting burned. However, #22 is a very aesthetically pleasing number, and has been a trusty number for some great players. Jeremiah Attaochu made a nice choice with #97. It’s a sexy number for edge rushers. Chris Watt, Ryan Carrethers and Tevin Reese all took very nice numbers for their positions. Marion Grice’s #26 is an all right choice, but there are better RB numbers out there. The Chargers have a nice looking class of rookie jersey numbers to look forward to.

Grade: A
Kansas City Chiefs

It’s hard to argue with the Chiefs’ results in the 2014 draft. Dee Ford made a strong choice with #90. He’ll look much bigger than his small stature with that strong number. Phillip Gaines chose another good-looking number with #23. That’s a nice choice for any CB. Aaron Murray chose the #7, which makes sense, as he’s an intelligent player. Having the wisdom to select one of the best QB numbers is a very good sign. Their offensive linemen went with great choices in #73 and #76 (the best offensive line number). As of this publication, De’Anthony Thomas hadn’t selected a jersey number. Unless DAT totally blows it, this is a flawless class.

Grade: A+
Oakland Raiders

The Raiders field a solid group of rookie numbers. Top pick Khalil Mack took a historically strong LB number with #52. It’s also very aesthetically pleasing. The gem of the group is Derek Carr and #4. It’s a good-looking number, and has the strong history backing of Brett Favre. Gabe Jackson (#66) and Keith McGill (#39) took numbers that fit their positions, and with at least decent presentation. Interestingly, #39 was made popular by a player McGill compares favorably to in Brandon Browner. This class isn’t without duds. Justin Ellis and Shelby Harris are defensive linemen sporting 70’s jerseys. Neither Jonathan Dowling’s #41 or T.J. Carrie’s #38 are all that easy on the eyes. It was a pretty nice safe showing by Oakland.

Grade: B-

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys added some good numbers to their roster. Their top two picks took some great numbers in #70 and #90. Martin and Lawrence will look great with those numbers and the star. Numbers in the teens are generally bad for WRs, but its hard to argue with what Brandon Marshall has done for #15. Devin Street might get away with that one. The only other wart is that the Cowboys have a LB with a number in the 40’s. That’s just a gross look.

Grade: B
Philadelphia Eagles

Marcus Smith and Jordan Matthews started things off right for the Eagles. It’s a tough call, but #81 might the greatest of all the WR jersey numbers. It’s a great look, and has some famous owners. Josh Huff took #11, which is one of the few good-looking WR teen numbers. The only issues are with Jaylen Watkins and Taylor Hart’s number identify crisis. #37 looks good on safeties, but not so much on corners. #97 is an edge rusher number, but Hart plays more of a five-tech role. It’s hard to argue too much with how the Eagles’ rookies will look in their jerseys.

Grade: B+
New York Giants

Why, Odell Beckham, why? #13 could give #14 a run for its money for worst jersey number a WR can pick. ODB made a very bad choice for his rookie jersey number. The rest of the Giants’ picks made some nice decisions; none of the other numbers are ugly. Weston Richburg’s stands out. #60 is a great look for a starting center. Unfortunately, when your first round pick bungles his choice, you’re grade has a ceiling.

Grade: B
Washington Redskins

This is a handsome looking group of rookie jerseys. Morgan Moses will at least look like a franchise left tackle wearing the #76. What a great choice, given its historical track record and aesthetics. There are a few late round whiffs. Ryan Grant took the hideous #14, so that’s a problem. Lache Seatrunk’s #35 is an odd choice. Mike Tolbert is the only known player that pulls that one off, and he’s a very different player from Lache. He should look to switch that one out before the season starts.

Grade: B-

NFC North

Chicago Bears

Here’s some pretty good work by the Bears’ rookies with their number selections. Kyle Fuller’s #23 is a good look for corners. Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton’s #95 and #93 will look good next to each other for many years. Ka-Deem Carey took the best number ever (#25). David Fales’ choice of #12 (the best QB number) indicates he has a future as a starter. The only complaint is Brock Vereen’s choice of #45. When was the last time you enjoyed seeing a defensive back with that number? Never.

Grade: A
Detroit Lions

The Lions started things off right. Eric Ebron, Kyle Van Noy and Travis Swanson all took some aesthetically pleasing numbers that fit their roles. Detroit encountered a few problems after that. Nevin Lawson will look pretty silly wearing #43 as a CB. Caraun Reid will look downright awful wearing #61 as a defensive tackle. It a shame he doesn’t want to look great. TJ Jones took #13, which is an atrocious presentation of a jersey number for WRs. The Lions did great in the early rounds, but you can’t discount how bad the third day guys will look.

Grade: C
Green Bay Packers

The Packers showed why they’re a first class organization with this group of rookie jerseys. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has an aesthetically pleasing future rocking the #21 jersey. There’s some good Green Bay history with that number too. We know WRs typically shouldn’t wear numbers in the teens, but #17 is an exception. It’s a sharp looking number that Davante Adams will pull it off. Carl Bradford might look a little odd in a #91, but it also signifies he’s a versatile chess piece on defense. There’s not a single number here that isn’t aesthetically pleasing.

Grade: A+
Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings got some good return from their rookie numbers. Anthony Barr made a stellar choice with #55. That’s a historically great number, and will look damn good rushing off the edge and at OLB. We’ve covered #5 for QBs before. Teddy Bridgewater stuck with his number from college, and that’s admirable. He’ll have to win quickly and win big to shake off its nasty reputation as a loser’s number. Scott Crichton took a number in the 70’s, and that’s generally bad for defensive linemen. However, #72 is acceptable, as Osi Umenyiora has recently shown DEs can pull it off. Only one that made a bad choice was Kendall James. CBs wearing the #40 just look ridiculous.

Grade: B

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The WRs really messed this one up for Tampa. Mike Evans (#13) and Robert Herron (#14) took the two worst numbers available to their position. The Bucs have to be concerned with how immature and silly their receiving corps will look. The Bucs were saved from a failing grade by a few players. Austin Sefarian–Jenkins took the handsome #87. It’s a great look for tight ends. Charles Sims took the aesthetically pleasing and historically great #34. The Bucs had some nice choices, but a bad first round number and #14 hurt them badly.

Grade: C+
Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons certainly had some bungles. Jake Matthews made a solid and safe choice with #70. You can’t go wrong with that number, even if there are a few cooler ones for linemen. Ra’Shede Hagemen committed the cardinal sin of taking a non-90’s number as a defensive linemen. Dezmon Southward’s choice of #41 was almost as puzzling as the Falcons taking him so high. The rest of their picks’ numbers are solid. Devonta Freeman's #33 is a good memory number for Falcons' fans. Tyler Starr is an edge player wearing #49, so they get dinged with their final pick's choice.

Grade: C
Carolina Panthers

The theme of the 2014 draft WR class: depth and stupid number choices. Kelvin Benjamin is sure to look ridiculous in the #13. These young players have to learn. The positive news for the Panthers is their next four picks chose some very good numbers. Kony Ealy and Trai Turner should look very good in their #94 and #70 jersey. The Panthers have to take a hit for Tyler Gaffney’s choice. #27 is the least aesthetically pleasing of the 20’s and a silly look for RBs. Gaffney could have done better for Carolina.

Grade: C+
New Orleans Saints

Brandin Cooks could have done better, but he chose a bit wiser than some of his peers with #10. It’s hard to fathom why these young WRs have an aversion to 80’s jerseys. You could nitpick a bit with Stanley Jean-Baptise being a corner wearing  #33. The #56 is an average looking LB number for Ronald Powell, but its fine. #43 is a great number for strong safeties, as is #74 for offensive linemen.

Grade: B

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers will field a bunch of good-looking rookies jerseys. First round pick, Jimmie Ward, will play wearing the best number out there in #25. Carlos Hyde took a star-studded RB number in #28. Marcus Martin, Chris Borland and Brandon Thomas took some nice numbers (#66, #50, #60). None really jumps off the page as gorgeous, but they don’t offend the eyes either. The late round picks all made responsible number choices. There are two problems here. Aaron Lynch is an edge rusher, not a traditional linebacker. He won’t look right wearing an off the ball LB number in #59. Bruce Ellington got stuck with #3 for now, which is ridiculous for a WR. The assumption is he’ll change that after camp ends. Lets hope he choses better than most of the rookie WR picks.

Grade: A-
Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have a pretty good group of rookie jersey numbers. Deone Bucannon took an underutilized choice with #36. However, #36 is a very aesthetically pleasing number and is a good look for NFL safeties. Troy Niklas (#87) and Kareem Martin (#96) boast some nice numbers. The only issues are a wide receiver with a teens number (John Brown) and Logan Thomas’ choice. Of all the great numbers available to QBs, its pretty inexcusable to take #6. Its not an aesthetically pleasing jersey number, and offers no good historical precedence.

Grade: B
St. Louis Rams

This is some pretty good work by the Rams’ rookies. Greg Robinson (#79) took a number suited to mauling offensive linemen. Aaron Donald looks the part of an interior disruptor in #99. LaMarcus Joyner took a very aesthetically pleasing number with #20. Michael Sam stands a strong chance to last with a good number choice for a designated pass rusher. The only bad aesthetics number is Tre Mason’s jersey choice. #27 just isn’t a good look for RBs, or at all really. Overall the Rams had a good effort in picking rookie jersey numbers.

Grade: A-
Seattle Seahawks

The champs look to continue their winning ways with their jersey numbers. Paul Richardson took a teen number, but #10 is far less egregious than some of the others. Kevin Norwood was one of the few rookie WRs to pick a number in the 80’s. Taking #81 shows that the older Norwood has the smarts to last in the NFL. It’s hard to knock most of these choices. Jimmy Staten’s does stand out as a jersey that won’t look good. #67 is a number made for offensive linemen, not their defensive counterparts. The Seahawks have to be penalized for that shank.

Grade: A-
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