With 90 man rosters in the NFL offseason, often rookies or late addition free agents have to take jersey numbers that they normally wouldn't have or want to have in the preseason. If those players make the team, they'll usually take a number that they had in college, or one that fits their position based on the NFL number system. This season, with Miami having 11 rookies make the team, there was bound to be some jersey number changes and they have been announced today on the Dolphins website.
First round rookie Ja'Wuan James wore #72 this preseason, but has switched to his college number 70 now. That jersey number was previously held by another Volunteer lineman Dallas Thomas. Thomas has switched his number to 63.
Preseason surprise Chris McCain, an undrafted rookie from California wore #47 throughout preseason, but has switched to #58.
Miami kept two undrafted running backs in Orleans Darkwa from Tulane and Damien Williams from Oklahoma. They wore jersey numbers 3 and 5 respectively. Darkwa has taken the number 32 and Williams has taken number 34. Having a running back named Williams # 34 is a familiar sight to Dolphins fans. If this promising rookie can run anything like the former Williams #34 in his prime, Miami will be tough to beat.
Shelley Smith wore the number 64 this preseason, but has switched to 66. Late free agent addition Samson Satele took #64, dropping the number 69.
Miami claimed two defensive backs off the waiver wire: safety Sammy Seamster and cornerback Brandian Ross, Seamster will wear #37, while Ross will take Daniel Thomas' former number of 33.