News

Chiefs fans looking to get their hands on a new Jonathan Baldwin or Shane Bannon jersey may have to wait a bit.

The Chiefs have yet to assign jersey numbers to the 2011 Draft Class and may not do so until player activities resume at the Chiefs Training Facility.

We’ll post the jersey numbers on KCChiefs.com as soon as they become official. The Chiefs Online Pro Shop will be the first place to have those jerseys available for fans.

In the meantime, we can get a general idea of where rookie numbers will fall. The Chiefs equipment staff is at the mercy NFL rules when determining which number a player may wear. Options are dictated by position, as follows:

Quarterback, Kickers, Punters: 1-19

Running Backs: 20-49

Wide Receivers: 10-19 or 80-89

Tight Ends: 40-49 or 80-89

Offensive Linemen: 50-79

Defensive Linemen: 50-79 or 90-99

Linebackers: 50-59 or 90-99

Cornerbacks: 20-49

Safeties: 20-49

In recent years, a few Chiefs were granted exceptions to the above rules.

The NFL allowed Dexter McCluster to wear #22 last season because he originally entered the league as a running back/wide receiver. Former Chief Dante Hall, a running back in college, first wore #20 before switching to #82 when he became a full-time wide receiver.

Here’s a look at the number each Chiefs rookie wore in college and its current availability in Kansas City.

WR Jonathan Baldwin

College Number: 82

Chiefs Impact: Dwayne Bowe has worn #82 since the Chiefs selected him in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Bowe is under contract for 2011.

OL Rodney Hudson

College Number: 62

Chiefs Impact: Casey Wiegmann wore #62 last season. Wiegmann is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent under 2010 free agency rules.

OLB Justin Houston

College Number: 42 (not available to NFL linebackers)

Chiefs Impact: Mike Cox wore #42 last season. Cox is scheduled to become a restricted free agent under 2010 free agency rules.

DL Allen Bailey

College Number: 57

Chiefs Impact: Justin Cole wore #57 last season. Cole is under contract for 2011 after signing a reserve/future contract in January.

CB Jalil Brown

College Number: 23

Chiefs Impact: Kendrick Lewis wore #23 last season. Lewis is under contract for 2011.

QB Ricky Stanzi

College Number: 12

Chiefs Impact: Brodie Croyle wore #12 last season. Croyle is scheduled to become a restricted free agent under 2010 free agency rules.

OLB Gabe Miller

College Number: 99

Chiefs Impact: Micah Johnson wore #99 last season. Johnson is under contract for 2011 after signing a reserve/future contract in January.

DT Jerrell Powe

College Number: 57

Chiefs Impact: Justin Cole wore #57 last season. Cole is under contract for 2011 after signing a reserve/future contract in January.

FB Shane Bannon

College Number: 37

Chiefs Impact: #37 is currently unissued (retired, RB Joe Delaney).