The newest member of the Cleveland Browns now has a number as defensive end Za’Darius Smith has posted a picture of his locker on his Instagram, flashing the number 99 hanging from it. Smith has never worn the no. 99 throughout his collegiate and NFL career, suiting up in no. 94 for the Kentucky Wildcats, no. 90 for the Baltimore Ravens, then no. 55 for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
This also means that second-year defensive end Alex Wright has changed his number for a second time this offseason to accommodate veterans (and was likely paid a pretty penny from Dalvin Tomlinson and Smith to do so).
#Browns Za’Darius Smith will wear number 99 pic.twitter.com/P7DVtQ0aH5
— Brad Stainbrook (@StainbrookNFL) May 23, 2023