What's the best jersey number at each position?
Choosing a jersey number is one of the most important yet subtle decisions a player has to make in his career.
Sometimes they have to just take what's available, sometimes they get their first choice, sometimes they have to pay for their first choice, but jersey numbers will forever be linked to each player's legacy.
But which numbers are best?
The NFL implemented a numbering system in 1973 limiting which jersey numbers can be worn by players at each position.
Some positions were more obvious than others, but using a combination of Hall of Fame inductions, future gold jacket wearers, Canton snubs, and career accomplishments, we took a shot at determining the most successful jersey number at each position.
Quarterback - #12
Two of history's trio of four-time Super Bowl winning quarterbacks have donned No. 12, along with an impressive list of NFL greats to make this the easiest choice on this list.
Most notable players: Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Aaron Rodgers, Jim Kelly, Joe Namath, Kenny Stabler, Bob Griese
Running Back - #32
One of the toughest decisions on the list boiled down to career accomplishments and got a push over the top from Jim Brown, arguably the most iconic player in league history.
Most notable players: Jim Brown, Marcus Allen, Franco Harris, O.J. Simpson, Edgerrin James, Ricky Watters, Maurice Jones-Drew
Honorable mention: #34 - Earl Campbell, Walter Payton, Thurman Thomas, Bo Jackson , Ricky Williams, Herschel Walker
Wide Receiver - #80
Eight of the NFL's top 20 all-time leading receivers wore No. 80, thus making it tough to forget all of the historical highlights featuring the likes of Rice, Carter, Largent, and Lofton catching the ball with ease.
Most notable players: Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Steve Largent, James Lofton, Isaac Bruce, Andre Johnson, Henry Ellard, Irving Fryar
Honorable mention: #81 - Tim Brown, Randy Moss (also wore 84), Art Monk, Calvin Johnson, Terrell Owens, Anquan Boldin
Tight End - #88
The league's top tight ends have yet to agree on which jersey number is best. Three of the eight Hall of Fame tight ends, including the all-stats leader (pictured above), wore the same digits, so maybe they should have by now.
Most notable players: Tony Gonzalez, John Mackey, Charlie Sanders, Greg Olsen
Offensive Line - #73
There are too many great O-linemen who play too many positions to settle on one number at all five spots. The No. 73 has appeared on the jerseys of a surprising amount of Hall of Famers and future Canton members who block for a living.
Most notable players: Larry Allen, Joe Thomas, John Hannah, Marshall Yanda, Ron Yary, Jahri Evans
Defensive Line - #99
While many of the great ends and tackles have gone their separate ways in selecting numbers, many of football's best defensive linemen have worn the highest number possible.
Most notable players: J.J. Watt, Warren Sapp, Dan Hampton, Jason Taylor, Mark Gastineau
Honorable mention: #92 - Reggie White, Michael Strahan
Edge Linebacker - #56
Arguably the greatest defender in NFL history, "L.T." leads the list of football's scariest linebackers off the edge along with Doleman and his 150.5 career sacks.
Most notable players: Lawrence Taylor, Chris Doleman, Andre Tippett, Pat Swilling
Interior Linebacker - #55
Definitely the most difficult jersey number to determine, interior linebacker has proved to be one of the most difficult positions to truly excel at. The Hall of Fame trio of Brooks, Seau, and Hanburger - with Briggs likely on his way to Canton - narrowly edged out the modern duo of Lewis and Willis.
Most notable players: Derrick Brooks, Junior Seau, Lance Briggs, Chris Hanburger
Honorable mention: #52 - Ray Lewis, Patrick Willis
Cornerback - #24
Deion Sanders's No. 21 often comes to mind as the most iconic number at this position, but when you line up the players, it's 24 that has the best resume of shutdown cornerbacks.
Most notable players: Darrelle Revis, Willie Brown, Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson (also wore 21), Ty Law
Safety - #20
Very few safeties have made it into the Hall, especially since the NFL changed it's numbering system in 1973, but Reed and Dawkins should both join Renfro soon after gaining eligibility to Canton.
Most notable players: Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, Mel Renfro
Kicker - #4
While many will joke that kickers aren't really football players, Vinatieri has commanded the respect of the football world with his clutch kicks for the Patriots and Colts. It also turns out that some of the league's other highest scoring kickers have donned No. 4 as well.
Most notable players: Adam Vinatieri, Jason Hanson, John Kasay, Phil Dawson
Punter - #8
There's only one punter in the Hall of Fame.
His name is Ray Guy and he wore No. 8.