Although the 2011 NFL Draft class is not allowed to negotiate contracts during the current lockout, that hasn’t stopped teams from issuing jersey numbers to the new players. The Oakland Raiders 2011 draft picks officially have their respective jersey numbers as reported at Silver and Black Pride:
OT Joe Barksdale – #72
CB Chimdi Chekwa – #35
RB Taiwan Jones – #36
TE Richard Gordon – #82
WR David Ausberry – #86
WR Denarius Moore – #17
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke – #38
C Stefen Wisniewski – #61
The NFL instituted a jersey numbering system in 1973 based on the position at which a player played. The breakdown of each range of numbers is as follows:
1-9 Quarterbacks and Kickers/Punters
10-19 Quarterbacks, Receivers, Tight Ends, and Kickers/Punters
20-49 Running Backs and Defensive Backs
50-59 Centers and Linebackers
60-79 Defensive Linemen and Offensive Linemen
80-89 Receivers and Tight Ends (or 40-49 if those ranges are taken)
90-99 Defensive Linemen and Linebackers