Flyin' Hawaiian: Marcus Mariota Tops All Players In NFL Jersey Sales For Month Of May

The top two picks in the NFL Draft hold the two best-selling NFL jerseys from NFLShop.com for the month of May, but it is Marcus Mariota getting the better of Jameis Winston this time. Mariota's No. 8 Titans jersey tops the list, followed by Winston, Patriots QB Tom Brady, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. There are a total of 11 QBs in the top 25, including the Eagles' Tim Tebow. Despite being out of the NFL the last two seasons and with no guarantee of making the final roster, Tebow's No. 11 jersey ranked 15th. Mariota and Winston are not the only rookies on the list -- Chargers RB Melvin Gordon Jr. comes in at 24th and Raiders WR Amari Cooper is 25th (THE DAILY).

WRATH OF THE TITAN: In Nashville, Jim Wyatt noted Mariota is the "hottest thing going in the NFL right now," though the league "did not make available the number of jerseys sold." The Titans as of last week had sold roughly 2,000 Mariota jerseys "through the Titans Locker Room Store at LP Field, and through the team's online store" (TENNESSEAN.com, 6/3). ESPN's Marcellus Wiley said rookies "are always going to be first" in rankings. Wiley: One, you don't have their jersey yet, and two, you're selling hope to a new franchise into a new player" ("SportsNation," ESPN2, 6/3). Mariota yesterday on Nashville-based WGFX-FM said, "It's surreal for me, it's such an honor. For me it's one of those deals, looking back on it in the future, it's a crazy, crazy deal for sure." ESPN's Darren Rovell noted Browns QB Johnny Manziel, who held the top spot at this time last year, "wasn't among" the top 25 (ESPN.com, 6/3).

PEAKING TOM: Brady coming in third on the player jersey list drew some wide-ranging opinions. ESPN's Wiley said, "The values of America are so backwards right now that not only are we going to celebrate with our energy and effort, we are going to pay for someone who is alleged of cheating.” ESPN’s Max Kellerman said Brady won the Super Bowl so “that’s going to help jersey sales." He added, "On top of that, you’re in an endless news cycle because of the controversy.” ESPN’s Michelle Beadle said there is “nothing a fan likes more than when it is an us-against-the-world mentality.” Kellerman: “People are also rallying around the fact that they feel like his back is against the wall, and his fans feel like he is being treated unfairly” (“SportsNation,” ESPN2, 6/3).

TEAM WORK: The Super Bowl-winning Patriots finished the month of May as the best-selling team, followed by the 49ers and Seahawks. The Cowboys and  Packers round out the top five (THE DAILY).