Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones (34) celebrates after making a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots rookie cornerback Jack Jones is changing his jersey to an odd number – both literally and figuratively.

Jones is switching from No. 34 to No. 13 ahead of the 2022 season opener, according to multiple reports out of practice on Thursday. Defensive backs typically wear numbers in the 20’s or 30’s, but that’s changed since the NFL expanded to allow a higher range of uniform digits at most positions.

Jalen Mills chose No. 2 when he came over to the Patriots as a free agent in 2021. Mills, safety Jabrill Peppers (No. 3), and now Jack Jones are now the only defensive backs on the team to wear numbers lower than 20.

Sports Hub Underground | Patriots Roster Thoughts and More

(Click here to subscribe to the Sports Hub Underground podcast.)

The last Patriot to wear No. 13 was defensive back Da’Vante Bausby in 2021. Others to don the number in New England include quarterback Tom Hodson, wide receivers Phillip Dorsett and Bam Childress, and punter Ken Walter.

Here’s a rundown of the rest of the jersey numbers in the Patriots’ cornerback room:

No. 25: Marcus Jones
No. 26: Shaun Wade
No. 27: Myles Bryant
No. 31: Jonathan Jones

Bryant took the No. 27 previously worn by J.C. Jackson. The BIG number, though, is a Ty Law 24, a Stephon Gilmore 24, a Darrelle Revis 24. That actually goes to a safety this year, sophomore Joshuah Bledsoe, who parlayed an impressive camp into a spot on the 53-man roster for the first time in his career.

But Jack Jones had a strong summer himself, showing explosiveness, physicality, and ball skills during preseason games against the Panthers and Raiders. He’s unlikely to start at cornerback – that’s projected to be Mills and Jonathan Jones – but for a position group in need of immediate contributions from whoever’s capable, Jack Jones figures to be a factor at some point in his rookie year. That’s if he continues to play like he did in the preseason against NFL-level competition.

Here’s a reset of the Patriots’ full cornerback depth charts, based on how they’ve been used most often in camp and the preseason…

Outside

Jalen Mills
Jonathan Jones
Jack Jones (rookie)
Shaun Wade

Slot

Jonathan Jones
Myles Bryant
Marcus Jones (rookie)

Jonathan Jones figures to see most of his time on the boundary in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, but would ideally be the top slot option, with Jack Jones or Shaun Wade emerging on the outside. It’ll be interesting to see who Belichick puts on the field first when they need a third man outside the numbers.

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 19: Jack Jones #34 of the New England Patriots lines up during the preseason game between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium on August 19, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

It’s possible that the Patriots are counting on both rookie cornerbacks in major roles by the end of the 2022 season. We’ll see if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But both showed promise in their first summer as pros.

We’ll be watching the development of the cornerback position on the Patriots’ roster throughout the 2022 season here at 985TheSportsHub.com, continuing with the regular season opener on Sept. 11 in Miami. Click here for complete Patriots coverage.

Sports Hub Patriots Podcast | Patriots Roster Thoughts and More

(Click here to subscribe to Patriots Audio on 98.5 The Sports Hub.)

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.