The NFL's best jersey-number combinations

By: Josh Frey-Sam

Tell me how I just found out that Jahmyr Gibbs will be rocking No. 0 this season?

Not gonna lie, I thought No. 26 looked nice on him in those Honolulu Blue jerseys, but 0 usually looks pretty smooth on a running back or receiver.

When my friends broke the Gibbs news to me, it got me thinking… which players have the most aesthetically pleasing number-jersey combination in the league?

The first players I thought about aren’t even playing anymore - Odell Beckham Jr.’s No. 13 with the New York Giants and Jarvis Landry’s No. 14 with the Miami Dolphins. Those are guys who took their numbers to new heights with their playstyle and overall swagger.

This is a greater task than one might think.

We can’t just base this on the number alone. Things like the font of the number, the colour of the jersey, the build of the player himself, the position he plays and their overall swagger must be factored into the equation.

After some long thoughts, this is what I came up with:

Safety Derwin James, No. 3, Los Angeles Chargers

I think this is the best jersey-number combination in football, and the case is only strengthened when the Bolts are wearing those Power Blues.

One of my favourite players, James easily has some of the best swagger in the league, and his skillset only adds to the aesthetic.

Something about a versatile and hard-hitting safety wearing No. 3 just feels right.

WR CeeDee Lamb, No. 88, Dallas Cowboys

An elite Cowboys receiver wearing No. 88 is simply classic.

Lamb’s style would allow him to look just as good wearing a single-digit number, but the double-eights, especially in those alternate jerseys, are so clean.

There’s no doubt that Drew Pearson, Michael Irvin and Dez Bryant are proud to see him continuing the tradition.

LB Roquan Smith, No. 0, Baltimore Ravens

You already know I had to put a Baltimore Raven on this list.

The Ravens have some of the nicest jerseys in the league, and their alternates might give them the best trio of uniforms in football.

Roquan Smith just looks cold-blooded in 0. Someone of his build, playing linebacker, looks so clean in the purple and black.

RB Bijan Robinson, No. 7, Atlanta Falcons

Bijan wearing No. 7 for the Falcons just feels so distinct, like you know who that is when you turn on the TV.

Something about the number fits him so well, with his shiftiness and explosiveness. I like it much better than the No. 5 he wore at Texas.

It works in any of the Falcons’ uniforms, but I think I like it best when they’re in their alternates.

WR, Justin Jefferson, No. 18, Minnesota Vikings

This is an example of a star player making a number look better than it actually is.

No. 18 on a receiver doesn’t blow me away, but when you have Jettas griddying to the end zone, with his chains hanging out, suddenly that number starts to pop a bit. Don’t discount the purple either.

LT Trent Williams, No. 71, San Francisco 49ers

A mean number for a mean player.

I think Deebo Samuel would’ve taken Williams’ place had he been brought back for another year, but Williams gets the nod here — but only in the 49ers alternate jerseys.

I love the boldness of the numbers on these jerseys, and when you have a player with a mean streak like Williams, I think it works that much better.

Honourable mentions: Safety, Budda Baker, No. 3; Arizona Cardinals; EDGE Bradley Chubb, No. 2; Miami Dolphins, CB Greg Newsome II, No. 0, Cleveland Browns; EDGE Khalil Mack, No. 52, Los Angeles Chargers; DT Jalen Carter, No. 98, Philadelphia Eagles; EDGE Micah Parsons, No. 11, Dallas Cowboys

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh