Despite waiting to hear his name called longer than many expected in Thursday night’s NFL Draft, Browns QB Johnny Manziel continued to outpace his fellow draftees in gaining social media followers. Drafted 22nd overall, Manziel has gained 100,487 followers on his official Twitter account dating back to April 22. Of the players drafted in the first round last night, Bills WR Sammy Watkins was second to Manziel, adding 32,091 followers. The 1st overall pick, Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney, has added nearly 25,000 Twitter followers in the same time period. Among the other draftees that added significant followers were Packers S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (26,877), Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater (22,847) and Jaguars QB Blake Bortles (15,009) (THE DAILY). ESPN's Keith Olbermann noted Draft prospect Michael Sam's 95,000 Twitter followers are "more than anybody in the 2014 draft besides the quarterbacks: Johnny Manziel, A.J. McCarron and Aaron Murray" ("Olbermann," ESPN2, 5/8).
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TWITTER FOLLOWER GAINS AMONG NFL FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICKS
|
|
PICK
|
PLAYER |
APRIL 22
|
MAY 9
|
ADDITIONS
|
|
22
|
Browns QB Johnny Manziel |
785,288
|
885,775
|
100,487
|
|
4
|
Bills WR Sammy Watkins |
71,128
|
103,219
|
32,091
|
|
21
|
Packers S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix |
55,642
|
82,519
|
26,877
|
|
1
|
Texans DE Jadeveon Clowney |
89,278
|
114,235
|
24,957
|
|
32
|
Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater |
30,986
|
53,833
|
22,847
|
|
3
|
Jaguars QB Blake Bortles |
16,882
|
31,891
|
15,009
|
|
5
|
Raiders LB Khalil Mack |
3,857
|
18,721
|
14,864
|
|
12
|
Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. |
28,613
|
42,990
|
14,377
|
|
8
|
Browns CB Justin Gilbert |
10,894
|
24,325
|
13,431
|
|
14
|
Bears CB Kyle Fuller |
4,989
|
17,152
|
12,163
|
|
20
|
Saints WR Brandin Cooks |
8,528
|
19,579
|
11,051
|
|
6
|
Falcons OT Jake Matthews |
3,848
|
14,245
|
10,397
|
|
7
|
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans |
31,977
|
41,794
|
9,817
|
|
18
|
Jets S Calvin Pryor |
8,470
|
17,711
|
9,241
|
|
15
|
Steelers LB Ryan Shazier |
7,842
|
16,699
|
8,857
|
|
10
|
Lions TE Eric Ebron |
9,726
|
18,412
|
8,686
|
|
25
|
Chargers CB Jason Verrett |
4,732
|
13,025
|
8,293
|
|
17
|
Ravens LB C.J. Mosley |
59,984
|
66,617
|
6,633
|
|
24
|
Bengals CB Darqueze Dennard |
15,416
|
21,836
|
6,420
|
|
31
|
Broncos CB Bradley Roby |
52,346
|
58,727
|
6,381
|
|
2
|
Rams OT Greg Robinson |
6,206
|
12,350
|
6,144
|
|
26
|
Eagles DE Marcus Smith |
4,431
|
10,462
|
6,031
|
|
30
|
49ers S Jimmie Ward |
328
|
6,192
|
5,864
|
|
28
|
Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin |
17,277
|
22,967
|
5,690
|
|
9
|
Vikings LB Anthony Barr |
7,200
|
12,760
|
5,560
|
|
16
|
Cowboys OT Zack Martin |
6,421
|
11,262
|
4,841
|
|
27
|
Cardinals S Deone Bucannon |
2,027
|
6,031
|
4,004
|
|
19
|
Dolphins OT Ja'Wuan James |
13,792
|
17,378
|
3,586
|
|
13
|
Rams DT Aaron Donald |
3,752
|
6,817
|
3,065
|
|
23
|
Chiefs DE Dee Ford |
16,285
|
19,158
|
2,873
|
|
11
|
Titans OT Taylor Lewan |
18,583
|
21,302
|
2,719
|
|
29
|
Patriots DT Dominique Easley |
13,528
|
14,205
|
677
|
NOTES: * = Numbers compiled are a total combination of official Twitter accounts of each draftee as of April 22 compared to May 9. The draftees are listed with the teams that selected them and the chart does not reflect any post-selection trades.
