Broncos RB Javonte Williams makes NFLPA’s Rising Stars list

The NFLPA has predicted a breakout season for Broncos running back Javonte Williams.

The NFL Players Association has released its Rising Stars list for 2022, a list that “identifies top Rookies and Veterans poised to have breakout seasons, gain fan support and ultimately rank among the top-sellers of all officially licensed player merchandise,” according to the union.

The Denver Broncos don’t have any rookies on the list this year (which isn’t surprising considering they did not have a first-round draft pick), but they do have a veteran on the list: second-year running back Javonte Williams.

The only other AFC West player on the Rising Stars list this year is Las Vegas Raiders slot receiver Hunter Renfrow.

“The magic of this list is that it pulls from a variety of data including player sales, fan bases, social media engagement and even fantasy football popularity,” NFL Players Inc. president Steve Scebelo said in a statement. “Combined with their diverse personalities and exciting on-field performances, we forecast players best positioned to move the needle for products and marketing in the upcoming season.”

After totaling 1,219 yards from scrimmage and scoring seven touchdowns as a rookie last season, Williams is expected to take a big step forward in Year in 2. The players’ union seems to be buying into the hype.

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Drew Lock, Jerry Jeudy make NFLPA’s ‘Rising Stars’ list

Players on the list are poised to have breakout seasons, gain fan support and rank among the top-sellers of player merchandise.

Denver Broncos second-year quarterback Drew Lock and rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy are both on the NFL Players Association’s Rising Stars List.

“The annual NFLPA Rising Stars list identifies top Rookies and Veterans poised to have breakout seasons, gain fan support and ultimately rank among the top-sellers of all officially licensed player merchandise,” the NFLPA says on its website.

Jeudy is the fifth-ranked rookie on the list, behind Joe Burrow, Chase Young, Tua Tagovailo and CeeDee Lamb. Lock is the ninth-ranked veteran on the list, behind Nick Chubb, Aaron Jones, D.K. Metcalf, Marquise Brown, Deebo Samuel, Jaylon Smith, Raheem Mostert and Damien Williams.

Making the list could prove to be financially beneficial for Lock and Jeudy.

“This year’s Rising Stars will provide partners with a valuable resource for planning licensed product lines, evaluating potential brand ambassadors, launching social media campaigns, developing new player-focused content, and creating marketing and promotion strategies for the upcoming season,” the NFLPA said in a press release.

Lock will serve as Denver’s starting quarterback this season and Jeudy is expected to serve as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Courtland Sutton.

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