71 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 71 for New England

71 days till Patriots season opener: Every player to wear No. 71 for New England

The New England Patriots will open their 2024 campaign against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 8 at 1:00 p.m. ET, which is now 71 days away.

Until the opening kickoff of the season for the Patriots, we'll be counting down each day by looking back at those who have worn each specific jersey number.

Since 1960, 16 players have worn No. 71 in New England, and with 71 days until their first game of the year, here's a look at everyone who's worn the number for the team:

OT Mike Onwenu: 2020-23

Onwenu was a sixth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2020 NFL draft out of Michigan. He's appeared in 64 games for New England over his four seasons and received a massive extension this offseason.

DL Danny Shelton: 2018-19

Shelton was a first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 2015 draft out of Washington. After three seasons in Cleveland, he joined the Patriots for two years, appearing in 29 games and recording 82 tackles and three sacks while helping them win one Super Bowl. He spent his final three seasons with the Detroit Lions (2020), New York Giants (2021) and Kansas City Chiefs (2022).

OT Cameron Fleming: 2014-17

Fleming was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in the 2014 draft out of Stanford. He won two Super Bowls and appeared in 47 games over four seasons in New England before joining the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Denver Broncos over the last eight years.

DL Andre Neblett: 2013

The Carolina Panthers signed Neblett as an undrafted free agent in 2010 out of Temple. After three years in Carolina and a short stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he appeared in one game for the Patriots in 2013.

DL Sealver Siliga: 2013

The San Francisco 49ers signed Siliga as an undrafted free agent in 2011 out of Utah. After stops in San Francisco, Denver and Seattle, he joined the Patriots for three seasons, recording 83 tackles and 5.5 sacks over in 25 games and winning a Super Bowl with the team.

DL Brandon Deaderick: 2010-12

Deaderick was a seventh-round pick of the Patriots in the 2010 draft out of Alabama. He appeared in 34 games and recorded 45 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles in his three seasons. He finished his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013), New Orleans Saints (2014), Houston Texans (2015) and Buffalo Bills (2016).

OL Kendall Simmons: 2009

Simmons was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2002 draft out of Auburn. After seven seasons in Pittsburgh, he made a brief stop in New England for one game in 2009. He finished his career with three games with the Buffalo Bills in 2009. He's now the offensive line coach at Middle Tennessee.

OT Russ Hochstein: 2002-08

Hochstein was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2001 draft out of Nebraska. After two seasons in Tampa, he joined the Patriots for seven seasons, appearing in 91 games and winning two Super Bowls. He left New England and played three seasons for the Denver Broncos and has stints with the Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs.

OL Todd Rucci: 1993-99

Rucci was a second-round pick of the Patriots in the 1993 draft out of Penn State. He appeared in 85 games for the team and was named to their All-1990s Team.

OL Gregg Rakoczy: 1991-92

Rakoczy was a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the 1987 draft out of Miami (FL). He spent four seasons with Cleveland before appearing in 21 games over his final two NFL seasons with the Patriots.

DL Fred DeRiggi: 1990

DeRiggi was a seventh-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 1990 draft. He joined the Patriots during his rookie season and appeared in two games for the team.

DE Ben Reed: 1987

Reed was a 10th-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1986 draft. He joined the Patriots in 1987 and played in three games before a shoulder injury ended his career.

DL Ray Hamilton: 1973-81

Hamilton was a 14th-round pick for the Patriots in the 1973 draft out of Oklahoma. He appeared in 132 games for the team over nine seasons, recording 53.5 sacks. He then went into coaching, leading defensive line units for the Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

DE Art May: 1971

May was a fifth-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 1971 draft out of Tuskegee. He joined New England in 1971, appearing in 11 games and recording 2.5 sacks in his two seasons. He also spent time in indoor football and the World Football League.

DL Mel Witt: 1970

Witt was a fifth-round pick of the Boston Patriots in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft out of Arlington State. He appeared in 35 games over four seasons for Boston, recording four sacks and an interception.

OT Don Oakes: 1963-68

Oakes, after playing collegiately at Virginia Tech, was a third-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1961 NFL draft as well as a 21st-round pick of the Boston Patriots in the 1961 AFL draft. After two years with the Eagles, Oakes appeared in 82 games over six seasons with Boston. He earned AFL All-Star honors in 1967.