Dez Bryant continues to hold the top spot on the NFLPA Top 50 Player Sales List, based on total sales of all officially licensed merchandise from March 1 through August 31 of 2016.
The Dallas Cowboys wide receiver made news this summer when he became the first non-quarterback to attain the top spot on the list.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was the top-ranked player at the end of 2015, returned to the top five in the No. 2 spot. Joining him in the top five were two more quarterbacks – Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers at No. 3 and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks at No. 4. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. of the New York Giants rounded out the top five.
Cowboys players were well-represented in the NFLPA Top 10 for the second quarter in a row. In addition to Bryant, quarterback Tony Romo was No. 6 while tight end Jason Witten was No. 10, with rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott just outside the top 10 in the 11th spot. Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (No. 7), Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (No. 8) and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (No. 9) round out the top 10.
While the Cowboys placed three players in the top 10 – and four overall – the Seattle Seahawks placed five players in the Top 50 list for the second straight quarter. Green Bay had four players ranked as well, while the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers each had three players represented. Nine other teams were represented by two players on the list.
The Top 50 Player list is released quarterly by the NFLPA, via its licensing and marketing arm NFL Players Inc., and is based on overall sales of all NFL player licensed products via online and traditional retail outlets as reported by more than 80 NFLPA licensees, including Fanatics, Nike, VF Imagewear, Outerstuff, Fathead, McFarlane Toys, OYO Sports, Bleacher Creatures, FBF Originals, Forever Collectibles, 500 Level and more.
Licensed product categories include men’s, women’s and youth game jerseys and t-shirts, wall decals, figurines, vinyl collectibles, matted and framed photos, bobbleheads, plush keyrings, drinkware, socks, holiday ornaments and memorabilia, among others.
