Not even drafting one of college football’s most exciting players could help Ravens merchandise sales crack the NFL’s elite.
Rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson was not among the top 50 players for all league-licensed products sold from March 1 to May 31, nor were any of his new teammates, according to the NFL Players Association. The tally includes everything from jersey sales to bobbleheads and wall decor.
Which isn’t to say Ravens fans aren’t excited about Jackson. In May, Jackson was sixth overall in sportswear retailer Fanatics’ rookie jersey sales. According to the NFLPA, he fell to No. 22 for the period of April 1 to June 23, just behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and just ahead of Rob Gronkowski.
The Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts also were not represented on the NFLPA’s top-50 list. Of that group, only the Chiefs made the playoffs last season. The Ravens have missed the postseason the past three years.
The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles had an NFL-high six players in the top 50, followed by the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders, who all had three.
Established veterans dominated merchandise sales, with only five rookies cracking the top 50. New York Giants running back, Saquon Barkley, at No. 4 overall in sales, was the only newcomer to crack the top 10. Behind him were New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (No. 20), Cleveland Browns quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield landed (No. 30), Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (No. 38) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin (43).
Topping the list was Super Bowl winner Nick Foles. Eagles teammate Carson Wentz was No. 3, just behind Patriots star Tom Brady. Former Maryland star and current Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs checked in at No. 37. Here’s the full list:
1. Nick Foles, Eagles
2. Tom Brady, Patriots
3. Carson Wentz, Eagles
4. Saquon Barkley, Giants
5. Dak Prescott, Cowboys
6. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
7. Ezekiel Elliot, Cowboys
8. Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers
9. Odell Beckham Jr., Giants
10. Derek Carr, Raiders
11. Antonio Brown, Steelers
12. Marcus Mariota, Titans
13. Zach Ertz, Eagles
14. Jason Witten, Cowboys
15. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
16. Kirk Cousins, Vikings
17. Leonard Fournette, Jaguars
18. Marshawn Lynch, Raiders
19. Jalen Ramsey, Jaguars
20. Sam Darnold, Jets
21. Von Miller, Broncos
22. Khalil Mack, Raiders
23. Julio Jones, Falcons
24. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
25. Cam Newton, Panthers
26. Drew Brees, Saints
27. J.J. Watt, Texans
28. Richard Sherman, 49ers
29. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
30. Baker Mayfield, Browns
31. Adam Thielsen, Vikings
32. Julian Edelman, Patriots
33. Alshon Jeffery, Eagles
34. Brandon Graham, Eagles
35. Alvin Kamara, Saints
36. Matt Ryan, Falcons
37. Stefon Diggs, Vikings
38. Josh Allen, Bills
39. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
40. Derrick Henry, Titans
41. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
42. Deshaun Watson, Texans
43. Shaquem Griffin, Seahawks
Baltimore Ravens Insider
44. JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
45. Doug Baldwin, Seahawks
46. Fletcher Cox, Eagles
47. Mitchell Trubisky, Bears
48. Eli Manning, Giants
49. LeGarrette Blount, Lions
50. Todd Gurley, Rams