Earlier this week, it was Sterling Shepard making headlines for changing his jersey number – the veteran wide receiver moving on from his No. 87 to his college number, No. 3. Now, the NY Giants’ 2021 rookie class were assigned their numbers
First-round pick Kadarius Toney joins Shepard in a receiver room chock full of talent, but he won’t be wearing a single digit number like his counterpart. With No. 1 and No. 4 retired by the franchise, the NY Giants’ first round pick opted for a number he didn’t wear in college – No. 89.
Toney won’t be bowling people over like the legendary Mark Bavaro was, but nobody will complain if he can be as impactful as the tight end was.
Perhaps Toney will switch his number as the season draws near – the Giants’ all-time leading receiver, Amani Toomer, switched from #89 to his famous #81 after he got a taste of the NFL.
Azeez Ojulari, who shockingly fell to the Giants in the second round of the NFL Draft, will be wearing #51 for the team. It’s a number formerly held by one of the underrated franchise stalwarts – long snapper, Zak DeOssie.
DeOssie had a tremendous career with the franchise from 2007-2019 – winning two Super Bowls and being selected to two Pro Bowls. The Giants’ famously won one of those Super Bowls on the backs of their defensive line – a position group Ojulari will hope to take to the next level.
Here’s the full list of jersey numbers for the NY Giants’ rookies – announced by the team today.
- WR Kadarius Toney: 89
- LB Azeez Ojulari: 51
- CB Aaron Robinson: 33
- LB Elerson Smith: 58
- RB Gary Brightwell: 37
- CB Rodarius Williams: 25
- C Brett Heggie: 61
- G Jake Burton: 70
- DE Raymond Johnson III: 91
*Jersey numbers are always subject to change.