NFL Players Inc. is using the backdrop of Super Bowl week to issue what might be termed a list of coming attractions. The licensing and merchandising arm of the NFLPA is issuing its first "Rising 50" list of matriculating college football stars and young NFL players it expects to have the biggest impact on upcoming sales of licensed product. Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. tops the list, followed by Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell, former Univ. of Oregon QB Marcus Mariota, Steelers WR Antonio Brown and Colts WR T.Y. Hilton. Incoming NFLPI President Ahmad Nassar said, "This list is a mix of players whose product sales haven't yet caught up with their breakout on-field performance from this past season, like Odell Beckham and (Packers WR) Randall Cobb and rookies like (former Florida State QB) Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, who we expect to perform well at retail wherever they play."
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TOP PLAYERS ON NFLPI RISING 50 LIST
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RANK
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PLAYER |
RANK
|
PLAYER |
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1
|
Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. |
14
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Broncos TE Julius Thomas |
|
2
|
Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell |
15
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Lions WR Golden Tate |
|
3
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Oregon QB Marcus Mariota* |
16
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Broncos RB C.J. Anderson |
|
4
|
Steelers WR Antonio Brown |
17t
|
Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman |
|
5
|
Colts WR T.Y. Hilton |
17t
|
Broncos RB Montee Ball |
|
6
|
Bengals RB Jeremy Hill |
19
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Jaguars QB Blake Bortles |
|
7
|
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans |
20
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Patriots WR Julian Edelman |
|
8
|
Florida State QB Jameis Winston* |
21
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Bengals RB Giovani Bernard |
|
9
|
Packers WR Randall Cobb |
22
|
Cardinals RB Andre Ellington |
|
10
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Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin |
23
|
Alabama WR Amari Cooper* |
|
11
|
Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders |
24
|
Saints WR Brandin Cooks |
|
12
|
Bears WR Alshon Jeffery |
25
|
Eagles LB Connor Barwin |
|
13
|
Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins |
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NOTE: * = '15 NFL Draft prospects
