Every year a select group of rookie draft picks is selected by trading card company Panini to appear in a special set called the Rookie Premiere. This year’s Rookie Premiere will feature the first two Detroit Lions draft picks in 2022.
Both DE Aidan Hutchinson and WR Jameson Williams will be among the featured rookies. It’s done in conjunction with the NFLPA, which helps select the players involved and sets up additional exposure for what it deems the most marketable members of the rookie class. From the NFLPA’s press release,
Following two years of virtual engagement, 42 top rookies from the 2022 NFL Draft will again gather in Los Angeles on May 19-21 to learn the business of football and jumpstart endorsement careers at the 28th annual NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Rookie Premiere presented by Panini America, the exclusive trading card partner of the NFLPA. Hosted by the NFLPA and its marketing and licensing arm, NFL Players Inc., the annual event for many of the game’s marketable rookie stars will feature the unveiling of each rookie’s official jersey presented by Fanatics and Saturday’s all-day live action and studio shoot for Panini trading cards.
Many NFL sponsors will be on hand to check out the rookies for potential business deals as well. It’s a great exposure opportunity for Hutchinson and Williams.