Raiders Free Agents Get Their Jersey Numbers

The free agent additions made by Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders have been assigned their jersey numbers.

The Oakland Raiders were busy but not splashy in free agency this offseason. That is, aside from luring Marshawn Lynch out of retirement to come home and wear the Silver & Black. Something that stands to make the Raiders — and Lynch — a boatload of money through jersey and merchandise sales.

The 2017 NFL Draft just concluded and this ESPN Raiders roster shows that numbers are assigned to the draft picks. If you notice they show Eddie Vanderdoes wearing #47 — and James Cowser also wearing #47, which he did last season. Marquel Lee is #8 — so is Gareon Conley.

Clearly, this isn’t accurate and per the Raiders website, the rookies have not yet been assigned official numbers. Stay tuned.

Here are the official numbers for the Raiders free agents:

No. 2 – Giorgio Tavecchio, Kicker

This comes as no surprise, either the number nor the player. Giorgio returns for his fourth tour of duty with the Raiders. A left-footed leg, he looked good last season before the Raiders cut him late.

Like they always do. Since 2014, the team seems content to keep bringing him back until Seabass is ready to retire — and he seems content to let them.

No. 3 – E.J. Manuel, Quarterback

Again, no surprise. Nobody had the number, and Manuel wore it in Buffalo. He’ll be competing with No. 8 Connor Cook to backup Raider Nation favorite, leader, and all-around good guy No. 4 Derek Carr.

No. 24 – Marshawn Lynch, Running Back

And here’s your #1 seller of the season, folks. The Raiders don’t retire numbers, and if they did, this one would’ve been long gone. Worn by two of the best Raiders ever in Willie Brown and Charles Woodson, #24 is a storied number in Raider history.

Here's the list of #Raiders who have worn No. 24 that Marshawn Lynch will add his name to. pic.twitter.com/Mv5K6H6II6
— Jimmy Durkin (@Jimmy_Durkin) April 26, 2017

There were questions as to if C-Wood would let Lynch wear the number. It doesn’t work like that in Oakland. Even if it did, there’s no question a class-act, team-first person like Woodson wouldn’t hesitate to give the jersey to Oakland’s own Lynch. For the record, Woodson gave his blessing anyway during a chat with Mama Lynch some time back.

Lynch wore #10 at Oakland Technical High School and on into Cal, where he also wore #24. He switched up to #23 with the Buffalo Bills before going back to #24 during his legendary time with the Seahawks. Now that he’s back home and ready to help take the Raiders to the next level, it’s only fitting he’s wearing one of the most iconic numbers in Silver & Black lore.

#45 – Andy Mulumba, Linebacker

A special teamer that has seen action in seven total games in the NFL, once in playoff action for Green Bay. Through three seasons Mulumba’s been mostly a practice squad and special teams player and will add depth and competition to the position.

#46 – Dwayne Norman, Linebacker/Safety

Norman is a hybrid LB/S who will also add depth and competition. With the Raiders drafting three safeties and adding three more in UDFA, Norman’s shot will be on special teams and at a thin linebacker position.

#53 – Jelani Jenkins, Linebacker

Jenkins wore #53 in Miami and Malcolm Smith is now gone, and is expected to come in and compete at the WILL position. He was developing into a solid weakside player in Miami through 2014 and 2015 before injuries plagued him in 2016. The Raiders are hoping he returns to 2014 form when he had 110 tackles and 3.5 sacks for the Dolphins.

#73 – Marshall Newhouse, Offensive Tackle

Another no-brainer, as the number was available and Newhouse wore it in New York with the Giants. The Raiders have one of the best, and deepest, offensive lines in the NFL. They added two more tackles in the draft and a guard in UDFA.

With Donald Penn getting older and Austin Howard a question mark at right tackle, Newhouse will provide experience in the competition along the line with Vadal Alexander, Denver Kirkland, and rookies David Sharpe and Jylan Ware.

#83 – Cooper Helfet, Tight End

One of two free-agent tight ends added, Helfet had some success in Seattle last season. He’s a better blocker than pass-catcher, but Helfet can get the job done in the red zone. Helfet will be in tough as the Raiders currently have six tight ends on the roster, and signed the talented Pharoah Brown as a UDFA.

#84 – Cordarrelle Patterson, Wide Receiver

This is another one that just makes sense. Patterson wore #84 as a Viking and projects as the Raiders fourth receiver. With his versatility and speed, Patterson will open up the run and pass game. His kick return abilities are second to none, and it will be fun to watch him on the field with other versatile Raider pieces to create matchup nightmares.

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#87 – Jared Cook, Tight End

Now here’s a case where the player had to change his number. Since Amari Cooper is entrenched and not giving up #89, Cook, who wore #89 with the Rams and in Green Bay, is now #87.

Whatever number he wears, Cook gives Derek Carr his most proven weapon at the position. He and Clive Walford will compete hard to be the Raiders primary pass-catching tight end, and his performance in Green Bay with a similar type QB in Rodgers bodes well for his chances in Oakland.

The free agent additions made by Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders have been assigned their jersey numbers.

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