On Wednesday, the New Orleans Saints revealed the initial jersey numbers for their nine choices in the 2025 NFL Draft. Perhaps unnoticed was that 11 of the Saints' undrafted rookies also received their first jersey assignments.
Few teams in the NFL have a better success rate than New Orleans at finding undrafted gems. Therefore, at least a few of these overlooked rookies warrant attention being paid.
Here is a list of the first jersey numbers for the Saints 2025 undrafted rookie class.
Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Chris Tyree (4) runs the ball against the Clemson Tigers. Mandatory Credit: Alexander Hicks-Imagn Images
37 = Dalys Beanum, CB (South Dakota State)
46 = James Burnip, P (Alabama)
59 = Jasheen Davis, Edge (Wake Forest)
35 = Elliott Davison, S (UTSA)
84 = Moochie Dixon, WR (SMU)
73 = Easton Kitty, OT (Kansas State)
57 = Tyreem Powell, LB (Rutgers)
68 = Torricelli Simpkins, G (South Carolina)
74 = Omari Thomas, DT (Tennessee)
89 = Chris Tyree, WR (Virginia)
34 = Marcus Yarns, RB (Delaware)
Oct 3, 1993; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints linebacker Rickey Jackson (57) in action against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
There are a few notable numbers that jump out from this group. Number 57 was worn by Dome Patrol linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson, arguably the second greatest player in franchise history.
Only 10 players have worn 57 for the Saints since Jackson left New Orleans after the 1993 season. Just four of those players were with the Saints for more than one year. Defensive end Ryder Anderson last wore 57 in seven games last season.
Number 73 was most famously worn by guard Jahri Evans from 2006 to 2016. Evans is another probable Pro Football Hall of Famer and is already in the Saints Hall of Fame.
Defensive end Frank Warren, also in the franchise Hall of Fame, wore 73 from 1981 to 1994. The number was last worn by offensive lineman Max Garcia last year.
Sept. 6, 1981; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints defensive end Frank Warren (73) lines up against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-Imagn Images
Running back Ricky Williams is not in the Saints Hall of Fame, but is the key figure in the most infamous trade in franchise history. He wore 34 in an underrated New Orleans career from 1999 to 2001.
Also sporting 34 most notably was Saints Hall of Fame back Tony Galbreath, RB Craig Heyward, and CB Mike McKenzie. The last to wear the number during a regular season game was RB Tony Jones in 2023.
The number 37 is rightfully immortalized on a statue outside the Superdome. On that statue is Steve Gleason, depicting his epic blocked punt against the Atlanta Falcons in their 2006 return to the Dome after Hurricane Katrina. This still stands as one of the most iconic and emotional moments in New Orleans sports history.
Number 37 was first donned by linebacker Steve Stonebreaker in 1967, the inaugural season for the Saints. Safety Tommy Myers also notably wore 37 from 1972 to 1981. Myers was the first defensive player to be inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 1989. It was last worn by running back Jordan Mims in 2023.
Dec 18, 2022; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) catches a long pass against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Wide receiver Quinn Early is probably the most notable player to wear 89 for the Saints. Early was an extremely underrated, but also a highly productive weapon for New Orleans from 1991 to 1995.
All of this year's undrafted rookies may look to teammate, wideout Rashid Shaheed, for inspiration. Shaheed was undrafted himself in 2022 and has since developed into one of the NFL's most explosive weapons. As a rookie in 2022, Shaheed wore number 89 before switching to 22 the last two years. He is the last player to wear 89 during a regular season game for the Saints.
