Ranking the NFL's best current players by jersey number, 0-99

Vinnie Iyer

Ranking the NFL's best current players by jersey number, 0-99 image

Some NFL jersey numbers are more popular than others. In many cases, several of the league's most talented players across positions ending up putting the same digit on their backs.

That's been more the case since the NFL allowed players to wear non-traditional numbers. In 2023, make that an even 100 available, with owners approving a proposal to allow the use of a single zero.

Factoring in that and players also changing numbers on old or new teams, here's an updated look at the best active NFL player at each jersey number, No. 0 to No. 99.

MORE: Why NFL approved the No. 0 among 2023 rule changes

Best NFL players by jersey number

0: Roquan Smith, LB, Ravens

Several star players didn't waste time going for the cipher as soon as it was introduced. New Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley and new Eagles running back D'Andre Swift are among those who embraced zero. But there's no doubt Smith, a new Raven from midseason 2022, deserves this honor.

1: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles

Another young star in green, Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner had a strong case. There's also a terrific case for Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase While Kyler Murray has faded here, Tua Tagovailoa has risen. The choice, however, had to be another former Oklahoma and former Alabama QB — the reigning NFC champion and MVP runner-up.

2: Pat Surtain II, CB, Broncos

Venerable stars Amari Cooper and Darius Slay are a pair of fine deuces, but who better than a "II" to be the new true best No. 2?

3: Derwin James, S, Chargers

James was the clear winner here after he decided to drop the second 3 off his jersey.

4: Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

He had an off year in 2022, but Prescott's body of work still makes him deserve four more than Derek Carr or Deshaun Watson.

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5: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Dolphins

Ramsey decided to divide his Jaguars and Rams by four for his new five spot in Miami.

6: DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles

Smith and Hurts is our first worthy QB-WR connection on this list.

7: Haason Reddick, EDGE, Eagles

The Eagles can keep on adding to their numbers, with Reddick getting lucky seven over Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith and 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward.

8: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens

Jackson over new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers? We have our first "contro-jersey", but don't forget how many more of those Ravens numbers have already been sold. Plus, it's going for the younger one-time MvP over the older multiple MVP.

9: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals

Nine is a number with magical properties, much like the way Burrow passes, leads and wins.

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10: Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins

There wasn't much debate that Hill remains the king here, whether in Kansas City or Miami.

11: Micah Parsons, LB, Cowboys 

Leave it to a star defensive Cowboy to deny a rival offensive Eagle, in this case wide receiver A.J. Brown.

12: Chris Olave, WR, Saints

Tom Brady, the GOAT, retired. Rodgers chose to leave this number behind in Green Bay to be retired one day and threw it back to college. Goodbye QB, hello promising young wideout.

13: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers 

This one was tough, as fellow veteran wide receivers Keenan Allen and Michael Thomas were also in the mix. But Evans has been the least unlucky of the bunch of late.

14: Stefon Diggs, WR, Bills

We're still digging him over three younger stars, Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.

Patrick Mahomes
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15: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs

Fifteen minutes of fame? Make that fifteen years.

16: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars

Sweet number, sweet hair to match.

17: Davante Adams, WR, Raiders

Although fellow stud wide receivers Jaylen Waddle, Garrett Wilson and Terry McLaurin all wear this number, Adams' biggest competition was a quarterback, Josh Allen. But he just had to be seventeen, you know what we mean?

18: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings

Time to get Griddy with another unanimous selection.

19: Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers

Hey! Nineteen was an easy wide receiver choice, too.

20: Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys

He's out of Zeke's shadow and "scoring" this honor over new Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Tony Pollard
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21: Stephon Gilmore, CB, Cowboys

Speaking of Zeke, the Cowboys didn't waste time giving away his former number, did they?

22: Derrick Henry, RB, Titans

He's still the King here with no more need to battle the next guy ... 

23: Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers

... who upped his number by one in San Francisco to go all Michael Jordan on us. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander is the honorable mention.

24: Nick Chubb, RB, Browns

Chubb gets rewarded for running like Willie Mays with Eagles cornerback James Bradberry being a distant second.

25: Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins

Five times Ramsey equals two Miami cornerbacks making the cut.

Saquon Barkley
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26: Saquon Barkley, RB, Giants

Whoa. HIs jersey number matches his age. That's heavy, dude.

27: Tre’Davious White, CB, Bills

Sorry J.C. Jackson, but this number goes White's way among top corners.

28: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

Taylor gets the spot back here over the guy who succeeded him as rushing champion, Josh Jacobs, who decided to change to No. 8.

29; Talanoa Hufanga, S, 49ers

Hufanga is a hard-hitting way to round out the 20s.

30: Austin Ekeler, RB, Chargers

He's not bolting from L.A. and keeps the juice here.

31: Kamren Curl, S, Commanders

Get ready for a safety run in the 30s.

32: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Saints

The Honey Badger don't care Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton and Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell were runners-up.

33: Aaron Jones, RB, Packers

Jones should thank James for letting him have this one.

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34: Jalen Thompson, S, Cardinals

Thompson got the nod over Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone.

35: Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens

All aboard the Gus Bus with no competition on the road.

36: Danny Johnson, CB, Commanders

Washington has another worthy winner.

37: Amani Hooker, S, Titans

We're hooked on this easy choice, too.

38: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots

Stevenson steamrolled to this honor with his big rushing season.

39: Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Steelers

Another number in the 30s, one more safety.

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40: Von Miller, EDGE, Bills

Once a dominant 58 for the Broncos, he's settled into life beginning again short of forty with the Rams and Bills.

41: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

There was no way to run with anyone else.

42: Andrew Wingard, S, Jaguars

"It was always Wingard."

43: Michael Davis, CB, Chargers

Darren Sproles would be proud of another Charger keeping up the tradition.

44: Marlon Humphrey, CB, Ravens

Just call him "Hammerin' Humphrey."

45: Devin White, LB, Buccaneers

He makes this number look at lot faster than it is.

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46: Morgan Cox, LS, Titans

Look, long snappers deserve the love, too.

47: Josey Jewell, LB, Broncos

It was easy to crown him.

48: J.T Gray, S, Saints

There's nothing lower 48 about his game.

49: Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Bears

One giant leap for linebackers, one small setback for long snappers.

50: Vita Vea, DT, Buccaneers

He makes this number looks a lot bigger than it is.

51: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Colts

Put the Colts' defense on the board, too.

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52: Creed Humphrey, C, Chiefs

With arms wide open, we took him higher than the rest.

53: T.J. Edwards, LB, Bears

The Bears have two top linebackers again? That's the Chicago way.

54: Fred Warner, LB, 49ers

Back with the Seahawks, beloved Bobby Wagner fell short on this number by a letter.

55: Brandon Graham, EDGE, Eagles

It does look like he drives 55 on his pass rush.

56: Demario Davis, LB, Saints

A classic linebacker number for a class act.

57: Dre Greenlaw, LB, 49ers

He was the best variety of linebacker for this spot.

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58: Matt Milano, LB, Bills

He won an epic battle over Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

59: De’Vondre Campbell, LB, Packers

He's an appropriate rangy way to end the 50s.

60: David Andrews, C, Patriots

Who's ready for a center run?

61: Mason Cole, C, Steelers

This was also a snap.

62: Jason Kelce, C, Eagles

Kelce edges out a Super Bowl counterpart, Chiefs guard Joe Thuney.

Jason Kelce
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63: Chris Lindstrom, G, Falcons

Chris Lindstrom over Corey Linsley? Say that 63 times fast.

64: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Ravens

After a brief break, centers have our attention again.

65: Lane Johnson, OT, Eagles

The Eagles really do know how to pick their numbers, don't they?

66: Ryan Jensen, C, Buccaneers

He'll need to adjust to life not snapping to the GOAT.

67: Charles Cross, OT, Seahawks

If Geno couldn't make it, how about his young left tackle?

68: Jordan Mailata, OT, Eagles

Seriously, Philadelphia knows numbers.

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69: David Bakhtiari, OT, Packers

He was easy to back here as someone who's done it for a long time.

70: Zack Martin, G, Cowboys

He also was easy to back here as someone who's done it for a long time.

71: Trent Williams, OT, 49ers

Although the Vikings' Christian Darrisaw is trying his best to be him, here's another toast to Trent.

72: Terron Armstead, OT, Dolphins 

Isn't that nice how he shouts out the Dolphins' undefeated team, too.

73: Jonah Jackson, G, Lions

Detroit's offensive line needed to get on the board after Sewell just missed.

74: Kolton Miller, OT, Raiders

Silver and Black makes it two from the offense.

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75: Joel Bitonio, G, Browns

Two more than Joe Thomas gets him there.

76: Kaleb McGrary, OT, Falcons

He shouldn't have separated far from Lindstrom, anyway.

77: Wyatt Teller, G, Browns

We don't need miles of copy to tell you he's as worthy as Bitonio.

78: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Buccaneers

He's got some tougher competition at the position and number in the form of the Giants' Andrew Thomas and the Texans' Laremy Tunsil.

79: Rob Havenstein, OT, Rams

Andrew Whitworth plus two did the trick.

80: Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens

He possibly, probably, definitely won the honor over fellow second-year athletic tight end Greg Dulcich.

81: Mike Williams, WR, Chargers

Terrell Owens would be proud.

82: Logan Thomas, TE, Commanders

Thomas must remember his franchise won the Super Bowl that year.

83: Tyler Boyd, WR, Bengals

He'll get it done where Chase just couldn't.

84: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Falcons

Randy Moss would be proud.

85: George Kittle, TE, 49ers

Time for some more tight ends to throw down, so why not start again with him?

86: Zach Ertz, TE, Cardinals

It was easy to 86 any other possibilities.

87: Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Going from Gronk to him just isn't fair to other numbers.

88: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys

It's Cowboys over Eagles again as Lamb rolls past tight end Dallas Goedert.

89: Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens

This is starting to read like fantasy tight end rankings.

90: Montez Sweat, EDGE, Commanders

There's no word if blood and tears were also shed for this honor.

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91: Trey Hendrickson, EDGE, Bengals

He isn't wearing No. 3, but we'll still give him this one.

92: Zach Sieler, DT, Dolphins

Definitely a homage to when "Saved by the Bell" was still on the air.

93: Jonathan Allen, DT, Commanders

Washington should be better than this with all these winners.

94: Christian Wilkins, DT, Dolphins

Wilkins makes it two Dolphins in the '90s, appropriately ahead of Eagles edge rusher Josh Sweat.

Chris Jones
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95: Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs

This was the biggest royal rumble, as Jones needed to hold off fellow defensive line studs Myles Garrett, Quinnen Williams and Derrick Brown.

96: Denico Autry, DT, Titans

Turn this number upside down, and Autry is still the choice.

97: Nick Bosa, EDGE, 49ers 

Bosa was just too much for the 1-2 defensive tackle punch of Dexter Lawrence and Cameron Hayward.

98: Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Raiders

Crosby also had maximum competition here from the Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader, Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and new 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave.

99: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams

Look, Za’Darius Smith, Danielle Hunter and DeForest Buckner add up to star-studded competition, but there's no way Donald wouldn't remain the dominant exclamation point on this list.

Vinnie Iyer

Vinnie Iyer Photo

Vinnie Iyer, has been with TSN since 1999, not long after graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. He has produced NFL content for more than 20 years, turning his attention to full-time writing in 2007. A native of St. Louis, Mo. but now a long-time resident of Charlotte, N.C. Vinnie’s top two professional sports teams are Cardinals and Blues, but he also carries purple pride for all things Northwestern Wildcats. He covers every aspect of the NFL for TSN including player evaluations, gambling and fantasy football, where he is a key contributor. Vinnie represents TSN as host of the “Locked On Fantasy Football” podcast on the Locked On network. Over his many years at TSN, he’s also written about MLB, NBA, NASCAR, college football, tennis, horse racing, film and television. His can’t-miss program remains “Jeopardy!”, where he was once a three-day champion and he is still avid about crossword puzzles and trivia games. When not watching sports or his favorite game show, Vinnie is probably watching a DC, Marvel or Star Wars-related TV or movie.