After a masterful showing at the 2025 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals wasted no time giving their new additions their jersey numbers. The team announced the new assignments on April 30. “Drop everything, we have jersey numbers,” the team’s official Instagram said.
The magnificent seven new rookies—Walter Nolen III, Will Johnson, Jordan Burch, Cody Simon, Denzel Burke, Jarden Conner and Kitan Crawford—all got their numbers. And the newly signed free agents got theirs, too, with Josh Sweat taking No. 10, Jacoby Brissett getting No. 7, and No. 27, 93, and 94 going to Akeem Davis-Gaither, Calais Campbell, and Davin Tomlinson, respectively.
Unfortunately, none of the rookies got to carry over the numbers they wore in college. That can be a good or a bad thing: if you wore a number while winning the national college football championship, of course, you’d want to carry that luck and momentum into the NFL. And if you’ve worn that number for most of your football career, it’s not just a number. It’s part of your identity.
On the other hand, the NFL means a new start—a new chapter. So while none of the incoming rookie class will get to wear their college numbers (and you’ll find out why), it could be a good thing.
Walter Nolen III: Cardinals Jersey No. 97
College Numbers: 2, 0
The Cardinals’ first-round draft pick gets No. 97 (which we all hope is his inaugural Madden rating). It’s a shift for Watler Nolen, who wore No. 2 while playing for Ole Miss in 2024 and No. 0 when at Texas A&M.
The only reason Nolen can’t sport either of his college numbers is the NFL rule saying that interior defensive linemen cannot wear single-digit numbers. Defensive end Anthony Goodlow had the number before, but the team has reassigned it to Nolen while giving No. 95 to Goodlow.
Will Johnson: Cardinals Jersey No. 0
College Number: No. 2
Will Johnson is the second Cardinals player to sport the No. 0.
Zach Pascal, the wide receiver who played a single game with Arizona in 2023, had the number before Johnson. With Pascal now playing for the New York Giants, the digit was up for grabs—here’s hoping it brings Johnson better luck.
While playing for Michigan, Johnson wore No. 2, the number currently worn by linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. It seems to be working out for Mack—he put up 75 tackles last season, three sacks and four forced fumbles. So, why jinx it? Let him keep No. 2. ,
Jordan Burch: Cardinals Jersey No. 52
College Numbers: 1, 5
Arizona’s new outside linebacker wore No. 5 while playing at South Carolina, before transferring to Oregon (where he wore No. 1). While he could technically wear a single digit, unlike Walter Nolen, both of Burch’s college numbers are in use.
Baron Browning, Burch’s fellow outside linebacker, is the new No. 5, taking the number he wore when he played for Ohio State. Sorry, Jordan. As for No. 1? That currently belongs to quarterback Kyler Murray.
Cody Simon: Cardinals Jersey No. 50
College Numbers: 0, 30
Cody Simon wore two numbers during his tenure at Ohio State: first, No. 30 before donning No. 0 for the 2024 season. Where you go in the NFL Draft matters: Will Johnson got No. 0 ahead of Simon.
No. 30 is worn by cornerback Darren Hall, who signed with the Cardinals’ practice squad in 2024 (before signing a reserved/future contract at the start of 2025).
Denzel Burke: Cardinals Jersey No. 29
College Numbers: 10, 29
Okay, okay, okay—this is a bit of a technicality. Yes, Denzel Burke technically wore No. 29 while playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes, but he only did it as a freshman. The cornerback played his final three seasons with the team, including the 2024 national championship run, while wearing No. 10. He’s more associated with No. 10 than 29.
Josh Sweat will wear the No. 10 when the former Philadelphia Eagle suits up with the Cardinals this season.
If Burke makes me eat my words this season, which I hope he does, I will get his jersey and make 29 my new lucky number.
Hayden Conner: Cardinals Jersey No. 58
College Number: 76
Hayden Conner wore No. 76 during his tenure with the Texas Longhorns. The offensive lineman could have worn it again, but it is currently unoccupied.
But, it seems the Cardinals are saving the number for Will Hernandez. The former New York Giants offensive lineman signed a one-year deal with Arizona in 2022 and a two-year contract extension in ’23, starting every game that season as a right guard.
Hernandez is currently a free agent, and the Cardinals' decision not to give Conner the No. 76 hints that the team hopes Hernandez will re-sign.
Kitan Crawford: Cardinals Jersey No. 36
College Numbers: 4, 21
Kitan Crawford getting No. 36 might not be a bad thing.
Sure, he wore No. 4 during his single season with Nevada, and No. 21 with four seasons at Texas. But No. 36 was Budda Baker’s rookie number. He sported No. 36 before shifting to No. 32 (his college number) after Tyran Mathieu left the season. Baker is now No. 3, shifting to the single-digit in 2021 after Tay Gowan began tweeting he’d be No. 32.
(No. 32 is currently used by Joey Blount. If Baker wanted to resume the number, he’d have to buy up all the No. 3 jerseys for sale, like he did when he shifted to No. 3 (per AZCardinals.com)
Budda has been a massive part of the Cardinals’ defense, leading the league in tackles in 2019. Hopefully, some of that mojo rubs off in the number when Crawford dons No. 36.
Currently, wide receiver Greg Dortch sports the No. 4. And cornerback Garret Williams has No. 21.