The Dallas Cowboys have assigned jersey numbers to their seven drafted rookies, including Caleb Downs, who will wear No. 18. This marks the beginning of their journey with the team as they prepare for rookie minicamp.
Key points
Dallas Cowboys assigned jersey numbers to seven drafted rookies
Caleb Downs will wear jersey number 18
Players may not keep their college numbers
Rookie minicamp has begun for the new players
Jersey numbers can change before the regular season
Dallas CowboysCaleb Downs
Things just got a little more real for the seven players drafted by the Cowboys last weekend. As rookie minicamp got underway on Friday, the newest Cowboys were assigned jersey numbers by their new employer as one of the first orders of business.
Players often want to stick with the numbers they wore in college, but being the new guy in the locker room generally means taking whatever happens to be available. That can mean adopting a number that may look a little odd... but it also means a chance to build a legacy all your own.
Jersey numbers are always subject to change before the start of the regular season, but according to the official team website, here's what digits the drafted rookies will be rocking as they begin their Dallas Cowboy journeys.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
The team's highest pick and prospective savior of the defense will wear a number that's seen plenty of action on both sides of the ball. Defensive talents like Damontae Kazee and Damone Clark have sported No. 18 for Dallas, but so have Randall Cobb, Bernie Kosar, Jalen Tolbert, and Chris Boniol. Downs wore No. 2 with Ohio State, but that single-digit jersey was given to new cornerback after wore it last season.
Q&A
What jersey number will Caleb Downs wear for the Cowboys?
Caleb Downs will wear jersey number 18 for the Dallas Cowboys.
How many players did the Cowboys draft recently?
The Cowboys drafted seven players in the recent draft.
Can rookie players keep their college jersey numbers in the NFL?
Rookie players often want to keep their college numbers, but they typically take whatever numbers are available on the team.
When does the Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp start?
The Dallas Cowboys rookie minicamp started on Friday following the draft.
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Nov 29, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws over the reach of UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence (51) during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) throws over the reach of UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence (51) during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
The No. 57 jersey has been passed down through a lot of Cowboys linebackers in recent years: Jack Sanborn, Buddy Johnson, Rashaan Evans, and Luke Giffoird are just the last four. Officially listed as an outside linebacker now, Lawrence will look to make it his own for a much longer stretch as he moves on from the No. 51 he wore at Central Florida, even though, perhaps curiously, that number appears to be available.
Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) reacts in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) reacts in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Also listed as a linebacker to fit with how he'll be deployed, Barham will inherit the No. 55 jersey, which has a fair bit of history behind it in Dallas. Logan Wilson and Carl Lawson didn't last long in the double-nickels, but Leighton Vander Esch spent six storied years with the combo. And long before him, Ring of Honor member Lee Roy Jordan made No. 55 a feared number for opponents trying to come over the middle of the field against the Cowboys.
OT Drew Shelton: No. 67
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Drew Shelton (66) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Drew Shelton (66) against the Boise State Broncos during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The first of the team's fourth-round draft picks will jump one jersey number as he moves from Happy Valley to Frisco. Shelton will take over the No. 67 jersey most recently worn by Brock Hoffman. Nate Newton, Pat Donovan, and Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright have all worn the number on past Cowboys offensive lines.
CB Devin Moore: No. 29
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) defends in coverage Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (11) during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Devin Moore (28) defends in coverage Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (11) during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Moore also climbs one digit from the number he wore in college. Now wearing No. 29, he'll join former Cowboys Kenneth Gant, DeMarco Murray, and C.J. Goodwin, who wore it for his entire eight-year tenure in Dallas.
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: LT Overton #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a turnover in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 14: LT Overton #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after a turnover in the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 14, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Overton stays in a double-digit jersey as he had at Alabama, but it's at the other end of the keyboard now. Perrrion Winfrey had No. 99 last year, and Chauncey Golston wore it prior to that. Past Cowboys to don No. 99 include Antwaun Woods, Chris Canty, and Hurvin McCormack.
WR Anthony Smith: No. 83
Oct 16, 2025; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Anthony Smith (9) makes a catch against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Oct 16, 2025; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates wide receiver Anthony Smith (9) makes a catch against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane during the first half at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The seventh-round East Carolina product steps into the No. 83 jersey, which has seen a decent roster of talented pass-catchers over the years. Jalen Brooks, Terrance Williams, Terry Glenn, Kelvin Martin, and Golden Richards have all worn that same jersey for previous Cowboys squads.
