Colts assign uniform numbers for 2016 rookie class

The Indianapolis Colts finished up the 2016 NFL Draft and undrafted free agent signings last weekend, and this weekend they will bring those rookies in for a mini-camp.  Because of that, the players needed uniform numbers before they take the field, and so on Tuesday the Colts assigned those numbers for the rookies.

For the team's eight draft picks, here are the numbers that they will wear:

Ryan Kelly, center, Alabama - # 78

T.J. Green, safety, Clemson - # 32

Le'Raven Clark, offensive lineman, Texas Tech - # 79

Hassan Ridgeway, defensive lineman, Texas - # 91

Antonio Morrison, linebacker, Florida - # 44

Joe Haeg, offensive lineman, North Dakota State - # 73

Trevor Bates, linebacker, Maine - # 50

Austin Blythe, center, Iowa - # 63

One interesting thing that you might notice from these numbers is that several of them are numbers worn by some very popular Colts in recent memory.  For example, Ryan Kelly's number 78 was worn by left tackle Tarik Glenn, T.J. Green's number 32 was worn by running back Edgerrin James, Antonio Morrison's number 44 was worn by tight end Dallas Clark, and Austin Blythe's number 63 was worn by center Jeff Saturday.  Furthermore, Hassan Ridgeway takes Jonathan Newsome's number 91 (Newsome was released earlier this offseason) and Trevor Bates takes Jerrell Freeman's number 50 (Freeman left in free agency).

One other thing worth noting is that Ryan Kelly will be switching numbers from the number 70 he wore in college, and this is because that number is retired by the Colts in honor of Art Donovan (one of eight official retired uniform numbers for the Colts).  Instead, Kelly is switching to number 78.  He has drawn plenty of Jeff Saturday comparisons because of the team he is coming to, but it is actually Austin Blythe who has taken Saturday's number.

The Colts also assigned the numbers for the undrafted free agents, and while all of the numbers are subject to change, these ones in particular could change depending on who makes the team and who doesn't.

Daniel Anthrop, wide receiver, Purdue - # 6

Sterling Bailey, defensive end, Georgia - # 62

Isiah Cage, guard, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire - # 60

Daniel Davie, cornerback, Nebraska - # 34

Josh Ferguson, running back, Illinois - # 34

Darion Griswold, tight end, Arkansas State - # 85

Davante Harris, offensive tackle, Appalachian State - # 62

Marcus Leak, wide receiver, Maryland - # 8

Curt Maggitt, linebacker, Tennessee - # 92

Stefan McClure, safety, Cal - # 42

Mekale McKay, wide receiver, Cincinnati - # 2

Mike Miller, tight end, Taylor University - # 49

Christopher Milton, cornerback, Georgia Tech - # 40

Adam Redmond, guard, Harvard - # 61

Chester Rogers, wide receiver, Grambling State - # 3

Anthony Sarao, linebacker, USC - # 59

Delvon Simmons, defensive lineman, USC - # 65

Tevaun Smith, wide receiver, Iowa - # 5

Ronald Thompson, linebacker, Syracuse - # 47

Darius White, cornerback, Missouri - # 37

Andrew Williamson, safety, Vanderbilt - # 36

From these numbers, you may notice some overlap, as five different numbers on the Colts' roster currently are overlapped.  On the 90-man offseason roster this happens with some offensive and defensive players sharing numbers, since there are only so many numbers available.  Currently, there are five such numbers: 34 (Daniel Davie and Josh Ferguson), 40 (Christopher Milton and Trey Williams), 49 (Mike Miller and Amarlo Herrera), 62 (Sterling Bailey and Davante Harris), and 65 (Kitt O'Brien and Delvon Simmons).

Numbers aren't the most exciting thing in the world, but I know some of you like to track this kind of stuff.  It is likely that not all of these players will make it to training camp and preseason with the team where most fans will get their first shot at seeing them on the field, but enough of them will be that it's worth noting now that the rookies have been assigned numbers as they get ready to take the field for rookie mini-camp.