Newsletter: Browns Jersey Number Analysis, Quarterback Hand Size Conspiracy, and Two UDFA Names to Know

Busy offseason days are approaching in Berea.

(Photo - Cleveland Browns)

The Browns are putting in the work as we speak. The team has offseason workouts happening with some on-field work sprinkled in this week ahead of Rookie Minicamp. Most of their work is being covered by their in-house social media group and it will get heavier in the coming weeks as more veterans check-in for their workouts and we push closer to OTAs.

Quick reminder on for those dates are the following: May 27-28, May 30, June 3-4, June 6, June 16-19. All of that work culminates with Mandatory Minicamp from June 10-12 before the last break and July’s Training Camp.

As weird as it is to say we aren’t that far away from football on May 8th, we truly are not that far away. The team will be working closely over the next month around Berea and getting everything ramped up for July and we will have plenty to observe and learn in that timeframe.

Stay tuned closely to the Newsletter and Podcasts to stay up to date on all the details.

I will admit I love when jersey numbers are announced — especially for the rookies. The NFL has expanded those jersey options across the board for positions and it leads to some tough decisions for the organization and then the rookies themselves before the final 53-man roster is announced. We all remember Nick Chubb wearing that 31 jersey, right?

The biggest name to change this year is Martin Emerson Jr. taking Juan Thornhill’s old No. 1 jersey and setting aside his No. 23 from year’s past. A fresh start would be good for Emerson considering how last year played out. Plenty has been discussed with DeAndre Carter’s choice to go with No. 2 — a number he has not worn across his many stops in the NFL.

Kenny Pickett takes the No. 8 from Dillon Gabriel. We will see how that shakes out. Now is his second season with the Browns Tony Brown II switches from No. 38 to No. 11 which is a clear upgrade for the special teams ace. Diontae Johnson is unable to get that No. 18 so he switches it up and goes with No. 16. This is a jersey number I don’t think he has worn in his career. Surprised he didn’t go with No. 5 that he worse last season in Carolina.

Jerome Baker goes back to this college days with the Buckeyes and rocks the No. 17. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka no longer get that No. 9 he had with the Buccaneers and is going with No. 90. That’s what happens when you are no longer the former 1st Round pick with your original team. Maliek Collins goes with No, 96 and it is one he has rocked several times over the course of his NFL career.

Now the rookies. Remember, Kevin Stefanski usually does not allow non-quarterback rookies to go with single digit numbers, so keep that in mind when they are picking their digits initially.

94 is a strong DT number for Mason Graham. I much prefer it to 55 but to each their own. He might still swap that number before Week 1. The best of the group is the running backs who get two quality numbers in 10 and 22. They could still change them but those two are aesthetically pleasing.

Gabriel rocking No. 5 is a good look as well. Shedeur going with 12 makes sense with 2 being gone. It remains possible Harold Fannin Jr. could get to No. 44 (his early college number) by the time final cuts are made. Carson Schwesinger keeps that same 49 from his UCLA days — not my favorite for a linebacker but I can appreciate the consistency.