When the Patriots released this year’s rookie jersey numbers on Thursday, the biggest surprise might have been Tyquan Thornton. The rookie was issued No. 11, previously worn by Patriots legend Julian Edelman.

Edelman retired following the 2020 season. The number, which he wore for 11 seasons, was not re-issued in 2021. DeVante Parker wore it during the spring this year, but switched to No. 1 before training camp.

What does it mean for such a highly-anticipated draft pick to wear a number with so much history and meaning to the organization? “Julian, he was a great receiver,” Thornton said when asked about the number change after the game. “I’m kind of proud to wear that number after him.”

Thornton started off the new No. 11 era on a high note. He caught the Patriots’ first touchdown of the game on Thursday, working off a route on a broken play to help a scrambling quarterback- something Edelman did time and time again during his years in Foxborough.

Prior to Thursday, Thornton had been wearing No. 51 in training camp as part of the Patriots’ rookie numbering tradition that starts at 50 and goes in order of draft picks. The second-round selection is welcoming the change. “I feel a little bit better wearing the 11,” he said with a chuckle. “I feel it fits me more.”

There’s still a long way to go for Thornton to reach the impact of the last two players to wear No. 11 in New England – Edelman and 1993 first overall pick Drew Bledsoe. But in his first 24 hours in the jersey, he got off to a good start.

Julian Edelman’s career stats