Several Washington Football Team defensive backs change numbers

With numbers starting to open up on the depth chart, some of the Washington Football Team’s defensive backs are opting to change numbers.

Each year, some players end up switching numbers as the offseason goes on, as a mass amount of numbers gets freed up by the roster outflow on cut day. Such is the case with the Washington Football Team in 2020. With more jerseys now left unclaimed, some players are doing some shuffling on that front, including a very recognizable defensive player.

With Adrian Peterson now off the roster, his No. 26 jersey became up for grabs. Starting strong safety Landon Collins was quick to claim No. 26, the number he wore with the Alabama Crimson Tide in his days of college football. He wore the No. 20 jersey in his first season with Washington, but now, he’ll be switching after just one year.

With the No. 26 jersey in college, Collins was a standout, and an eventual second-round pick for the New York Giants. In two years as a starter with the No. 26 jersey, Collins logged 167 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 13 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown.

Perhaps with a new defensive outlook, and a new number (that doesn’t matter as much), Collins can reprise that defensive production.

Additionally, with Collins switching from his old jersey, the No. 20 has also become available, and swiftly been claimed by another defensive back. Second-year cornerback Jimmy Moreland is reportedly taking the No. 20 jersey, per The Athletic writer Ben Standig.

Moreland has never worn the No. 20 jersey before, but one could argue it’s a more natural defensive back number than No. 32. Moreland showed promise in his first season, notching four pass deflections in 14 games, and Landon Collins himself endorsed Moreland earlier this offseason as a potential breakout player.

Now the two have officially changed numbers, perhaps compounding the change of direction on defense.