When your stock in this game rises, so does your dough—and the NFL Players’ Association thinks that’ll be true for two Carolina Panthers this season.
The NFLPA released its 2023 Rising Stars List, a lineup consisting of 10 rookies and of 10 veterans primed to shoot up in popularity for the upcoming campaign. These annual rankings forecast players who are expected to make significant splashes in retails sales of officially licensed NFLPA merchandise—factoring in “on-field performance, early demand for content and marketing from NFLPA partners, fantasy league status, collegiate name, image and likeness deals, the players’ existing reach to a massive audience of fans, participation in Rookie Premiere, product submissions from over 90 NFLPA licensees, support from team fan bases, and emerging talent in strong markets.”
Phew.
Anyway, representing the Panthers on the rookie side is, of course, quarterback Bryce Young. The No. 1 overall pick ranks third in the class—behind only Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
In on the veteran side is running back Miles Sanders, at No. 6. The 26-year-old rusher, who is coming off a career campaign of 1,269 yards and 11 scores, signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with Carolina this spring.
So if the NFLPA is right, he and his new battery mate will be seeing even more of those Benjamins pretty soon.
