Denver Broncos 2022 rookie jersey numbers finally revealed

The Denver Broncos will get to see their 2022 rookie class in person this weekend, and each rookie has picked his new jersey number.

The Denver Broncos are already well underway with their OTAs, the first offseason work with head coach Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson.

Finally, we’ve got some hard-hitting news: Rookie jersey numbers.

The rookie class is set to report for the team’s rookie minicamp beginning on May 13, so obviously they’re going to have to get fitted with some new uniforms.

Denver Broncos rookie jersey numbers revealed

Let’s dig a little bit on these jersey numbers going in the order these players were drafted.

Nik Bonitto – 42

Do we love this number? No. We would have loved no. 11 on Nik Bonitto, but that number currently belongs to veteran quarterback Josh Johnson, who will serve this season as the backup to Russell Wilson.

A grizzled veteran, Johnson is likely driving a hard bargain to part with that jersey number for Bonitto, who ultimately has settled on 42.

A fellow no. 42 myself, I personally dig this number on Bonitto and on a pass rusher in general. I don’t really like 42 for a member of the secondary or a traditional off-ball linebacker, but jerseys that include the “4” in the Broncos’ font are almost all aesthetically pleasing to look at.

I think 42 is going to be a great fit for Bonitto.

Greg Dulcich – 80

Out of all the rookies, I think it’s safe to say that tight end Greg Dulcich got the best number.

First off, no. 80 is a classic number for a pass catcher. Rod Smith is the best no. 80 in Denver Broncos history and Dulcich now has a chance to become the best tight end to wear it.

This is a 10/10 and a great number/player fit.

Damarri Mathis – 27

Damarri Mathis gets a number that has been worn by some pretty awesome players in Denver Broncos history.

Steve Atwater, now a Hall of Famer, wore this number throughout the 90s with the Broncos and a few years after his career with the Broncos was over, the team drafted Darrent Williams out of Oklahoma State.

Williams was outstanding for the Denver Broncos in his first couple of NFL seasons before being tragically killed by gunfire at the age of 24.

His legacy has lived on through the Darrent Williams Boys & Girls Club.

There’s a lot of history with this jersey number and it’s a great one for Mathis to be able to wear.

Eyioma Uwazurike – 96

It’s going to be crazy seeing someone besides Shelby Harris rocking the jersey no. 96.

Obviously, the Broncos aren’t going to retire the number or anything, but Uwazurike will have some big shoes to fill by donning this jersey right away.

As an expected eventual starter, I think Uwazurike will be able to keep the no. 96 making plays in orange and blue.

Delarrin Turner-Yell – 32

It looks like out of all Denver Broncos rookies, Delarrin Turner-Yell is the only one to get to keep his college number, as crazy as that may be.

Jersey no. 32 is a great safety number and it looks outstanding in the Denver Broncos’ jersey font.

This will be a good fit for Turner-Yell, obviously.

Montrell Williams – 12

The number 12 in Denver has a legacy yet to be written.

As of right now, it’s more infamous than anything.

Paxton Lynch is probably the first former Denver Broncos player that comes to mind when you think of the number 12, and I’m personally just not a fan of how it looks.

Then again, that could have to do with the fact that the best player to wear 12 in recent Broncos history is Andre Caldwell.

Luke Wattenberg – 60

I vastly prefer numbers in the 70s for offensive linemen, but I get it.

Jersey no. 60 ain’t gonna sell out at the team store but it’s a pretty generic offensive lineman’s number.

If linemen in Denver are wearing numbers in the 60s, the 6 looks much better when contrasted with a number that has sharper edges like a 3, 4, 5, or 7. I think no. 60 is one of the top five worst-looking numbers in the Broncos’ font scheme given its combination of round figures, but that doesn’t mean Luke Wattenberg is not going to ball out when given the opportunity.

Matt Henningsen – 91

For any defensive lineman, a number in the 90s is essential. I cannot stand when defensive linemen wear numbers in the 50s, 60s, or 70s. It just doesn’t look right.

I’d prefer single-digit numbers for defensive linemen over those.

With that said, 91 is a great get for the sixth-round pick Matt Henningsen, who wore 92 at Wisconsin.

Faion Hicks – 29

I don’t know what it is about the number 29 in the Denver Broncos’ font scheme, but it’s definitely not my favorite.

Bradley Roby wore it and did well in it, but there’s just something about the 29 in this font that leaves me wanting more.

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This number gets a massive boost when the Broncos go to their color rush uniforms and you get the block numbers, but in the standard uniform look, it’s not great.