Tom Brady, Ezekiel Elliott Lead List of NFL's Merchandise Sales

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady edged Dallas Cowboys teammates Ezekiel Elliott and Dez Bryant to lead all NFL players in merchandise sales for the nine-month period starting March 2016.The NFL Players Association passed along the top 50 players in total sales Thursday. New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Philadelphia Eagles rookie Carson Wentz rounded out the top five.Here's a look at the complete, quarterback-heavy top 10:The top of the rankings says a lot about the current state of the NFL. It's an offense-driven league, which is why those who sell the most are skill players on that side of the ball. Houston Texans lineman J.J. Watt is the top defender at No. 12 overall.It also showcases the continued power of Brady. The face of the Patriots franchise is playing his 17th professional season and is still outselling the game's young stars as he attempts to capture his fifth Super Bowl title Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.While New England had two players in the top 10 with Brady and Rob Gronkowski, who's sidelined following back surgery, Atlanta's top player was wideout Julio Jones at No. 31. Surprisingly, QB Matt Ryan didn't crack the list.Perhaps the Falcons QB brings that lack of attention on himself. As Bill Pennington of the New York Times pointed out, "I'm kind of boring" is one of Ryan's common refrains.It's no shock the Cowboys heavily populate the list, though.America's Team enjoyed a resurgent campaign in 2016 as Elliott, Bryant and Dak Prescott led Dallas to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the NFC. Their massive fanbase spans around the country, not just in Texas, which helps drive sales when the team is playing well.Andre Vergara of Fox Sports noted all three of those offensive stars, along with tight end Jason Witten, ranked in the top 20 of jersey sales for 2016 as well. Even Tony Romo, who was injured in the preseason and lost his starting role to Prescott, ranked 14th on the list.Wentz, who enjoyed a red-hot start for Philadelphia before cooling off, led that list, followed by Brady.Among the unexpected names on the NFLPA's best-selling 50 were Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (No. 39) and Minnesota Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith (No. 41).
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