It took a while, but the Philadelphia Eagles have finally announced the jersey numbers for their drafted rookies (no UDFA’s just yet) so it’s time to take a super-serious approach in analyzing the decisions made.
WR Jalen Reagor: 18
Reagor picks up the number he wore as a freshman where he coincidentally averaged 17.5 yards per reception (we’ll round it up for the sake of this article). He obviously couldn’t wear the #1 as he did in his final two years at TCU, but 18 makes sense here…although its recent history in Philadelphia really doesn’t.
Shelton Gibson and Dorial Green-Beckham were the last two receivers to put on the number 18, but of course, many fans still associated it with Jeremy Maclin’s emphatic five-year tenure with the team.
If Reagor can live up to the hype of Maclin, who was also drafted in the first-round by the Eagles, then I’m sure that will more than make up for the DGB saga.
QB Jalen Hurts: 2
This is just a baaaaad bad number. A quarterback wearing #2 just conveys some kind of energy. I immediately think of Johnny Manziel, which is obviously not the best comparison here, but in terms of a fiery quarterback with a tantalizing skillset, I like it.
Outside of his move to Oklahoma, Hurts has always worn the #2 dating back to High School, only further empowering the decision.
Previous Eagles to wear the #2 include Joe Pilconis, Mike Michel, Mike Horan, Dean Dorsey, Steve DeLine, and of course, David Akers.
The last quarterback to wear #2 was former fourth-round pick Matt Barkley, who is still with the Buffalo Bills.
LB Davion Taylor: 52
I’m not a huge fan of this. The last two Eagles to wear #52 were Zach Brown and Corey Nelson. Wonderful.
Taylor should’ve probably been given the #54 to replace Kamu Grugier-Hill. He wore #20 and #5 in college so at least this is a very ‘linebacker’ number.
It’s just a little odd that this number isn’t typically given to a third-round pick, but I don’t want to sit here spending an hour analyzing how a jersey number impacts a career. That doesn’t mean I won’t do it, though.
#52 is a strange number to look at. It’s not quite a meaty number in the 50’s, nor does it the pack the same eyebrow-raising punch as a high-forties digit. Maybe Taylor can change that.
S K’Von Wallace: 42
This didn’t make me leap around the room in excitement either. Wallace could well be a permanent fixture for years to come and while Chris Maragos is the name often associated with this number, it’s a bit too high for a traditional ‘safety’ look. Maybe the Eagles didn’t want to fill #27 right away because Howie’s still listening to ‘Marvin’s room’.
Other notable Eagles to wear 42 include Andrew Sendejo and Kurt Coleman.
OL Jack Driscoll: 63
This is an easy number to read. #63 is typically an ‘interior’ number which only further backs up what we already knew. The Auburn Tackle is likely moving inside to train at Center. I wonder if his number appearing numerically right after Kelce’s #62 is noteworthy…
Danny Watkins also wore #63 at one point, so that’s fun.
WR John Hightower: 82
I LOVE THIS.
This number has deep speed written all over it. Torrey Smith was the last wide receiver to wear it and for some reason, it just looks saucy in the Eagles’ font.
It’s been worn by tight ends frequently in recent years however, with Richard Rodgers being the latest in a long line that also includes names like L.J Smith.
Hightower bringing back some zoom to #82 is a power move.
LB Shaun Bradley – 54
To be fair to Bradley, being able to snatch #54 from Taylor is a big-boy move. Obviously, it was most recently worn by Kamu Grugier-Hill, but every Eagles fan sees Jeremiah Trotter when they see it.
Bradley played his college football at Temple, so I’m sure that isn’t lost on him. He also wore the number 5 at college, so, I mean he was halfway there…kinda.
WR Quez Watkins – 80
This is a bit of a dodgy number, but Watkins really has a chance to make it his own. Last worn by Marken Michel (miss you, king), and Jordan Matthews, only names like Kevin Curtis have worn the jersey beforehand.
Watkins wore #16 at college so he’s now headed to the other end of the spectrum.
OT Prince Tega Wanogho – 72
Very solid choice. This was most recently worn by Halapoulivaati Vaitai, with Tra Thomas, and Cedric Thornton doing so on the other side of the ball. The Prince inherits a royal number – things you just love to see.
DE Casey Toohill – 56
Casey Toohill takes on Chris Long’s number and now I’m in my feelings again. He wore 52 at Stanford so this slight jump does make sense, although defensive end numbers never seem to have any pattern. You could rock up to the sled machines with the number 8 and somehow still have a nasty rip move up your sleeve.
Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
