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Which Browns rookies have to live up to their uniform number?

By Thomas Moore

Apr 28, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round pick defensive back Jabrill Peppers and his mother Ivory Bryant display his jersey to the media at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns first round pick defensive back Jabrill Peppers and his mother Ivory Bryant display his jersey to the media at the Cleveland Browns training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns have issued their 10 drafted rookies their uniform numbers, some of which carry more historical weight than others.

With the 2017 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Cleveland Browns can now get down to more important business.

We’re referring, of course, to issuing uniform numbers to the new players.

The Browns released, via the team website, the numbers they have issued to the 10 players they selected over the weekend and they are:

  • Defensive end Myles Garrett – No. 95
  • Safety Jabrill Peppers – No. 27
  • Tight end David Njoku – No. 85
  • Quarterback DeShone Kizer – No. 7
  • Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi – No. 65
  • Cornerback Howard Wilson – No. 35
  • Offensive tackle Rod Johnson – No. 78
  • Defensive tackle Caleb Brantley – No. 99
  • Kicker Zane Gonzalez – No. 5
  • Running back Matthew Dayes – No. 37

Unlike last year, when we had the manufactured drama of wide receiver Corey Coleman not being “worthy” of wearing retired quarterback Bernie Kosar’s No. 19, we haven’t heard any backlash so far from this year’s crop of rookie uniform numbers.

Some of the rookies are going to have an easier time than others when it comes to living up to the history of their particular uniform numbers.

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The trio of first-round selections may actually have the tallest task, as Garrett’s No. 95 has been worn by linebackers Kameron Wimbley and Jamir Miller, who made a Pro Bowl appearance with the Browns.

Peppers’ No. 27 was worn from 1972 to 1981 by Thom Darden, the Browns career leader in interceptions with 45.

Njoku’s No. 85 was most notably worn by Kevin Johnson and Dave Logan, a key member of the Kardiac Kids of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Going down the list, Kizer may have the easiest task as his No. 7 was most famously worn by Jeff Gossett, who punted for the Browns from 1983 through 1987; as does Ogunjobi, who only has to surpass Henry Sheppard, a mainstay on the offensive line from 1976 through 1981, to rise to the top of the list of the best players to wear No. 65 in franchise history.

A cautionary note should be issues to Gonzalez, however, as No. 5 has not been kind to Browns players through the years. The most notable player to wear that number was quarterback Jeff Garcia, who is joined by Brett Conway (2003), Brett Maher (2017), Scott Player (2007), Dale Walters (1987) and George Winslow (1987) as players who were one-and-done with the Browns.

Next: Is Caleb Brantley worth the hassle

The only Cleveland player to wear No. 5 and see a second season in Orange and Brown was punter Spencer Lanning, who kicked for the team in 2013 and 2014.

Knowing that, those writing about the demise of Cody Parkey may be jumping the gun just a wee bit.

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