A new study by sweepstake casino Vegas Gems has revealed the most influential players from the most recent draft headed into the 2024/25 NFL season.
The study analyzed the social media accounts of the 257 picks from April’s draft to establish the number of followers, the average number of post interactions, and the overall reach each account has. Also studied was the estimated earnings each draftee can acquire through sponsored posts on Instagram, should they decide to monetize their account.
This happens when businesses and brands pay athletes to act as ambassadors, endorsing the company or their products by posting about them or their products on social media.
J.J. McCarthy, the number 10 overall pick quarterback from the University of Michigan, will start the 2024/25 NFL season at the Minnesota Vikings.
The 21-year-old is also named the most influential draftee from the 89th iteration of the NFL draft. J.J. boasts an Instagram following of 550,000 and receives an average of 94,000 likes per post on the platform. With this, the former Wolverine, originally from Illinois, is expected to reach as many as 123,000 Instagram accounts with just one posted photograph and one Instagram story, from which it’s estimated he could earn as much as $6,640 per sponsored post.
Keon Coleman, the wide receiver drafted by the Buffalo Bills as the 33rd pick of the 2024 draft, has over 549,000 followers and also averages likes at a rate of 94,000 per post.
Also 21 years old, Coleman was drafted from Florida State University and can reach 122,700 Instagram accounts with a single post and story, earning up to an estimated $6,630.
Third is wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who caused a stir by earning the NFL combine record in the 40-yard dash with a staggering 4.21. Worthy was drafted as the 28th overall pick by reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, from the University of Texas.
With 520,000 followers and averaging 84,000 likes per post, the former Longhorn is expected to reach 117,900 accounts on Instagram with a single post and story, with estimated earnings for this coming in at $6,370.
The fourth-most influential draftee is Marvin Harrison Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals.
Yet another wide receiver, Harrison Jr.’s over 455,000 followers means that the Ohio State University alum can reach 106,500 accounts with an Instagram post and story and earn as much as $5,763 from this.
Number one draft pick Caleb Williams ranks as the fifth-most influential of the draft’s 257 players. The quarterback now of the Chicago Bears boasts over 450,000 followers and averages 94,000 likes on each of his posts.
With an estimated reach of 105,500 accounts from one Instagram post and story, Williams, formerly of the University of South Carolina, can earn as much as $5,710 per sponsored post.
Spencer Rattler of the New Orleans Saints ranks in sixth with his 369,000 followers making for a potential reach of 90,700 accounts with one Instagram post and story.
Rattler, alum of the University of South Carolina, is far the lowest draft pick number to make the top ten most influential, having been picked overall at number 150.
Bo Nix, quarterback drafted by the Denver Broncos, has over 236,300 followers and a potential reach per story and post of 86,300 accounts.
Second overall pick Jayden Daniels makes the top ten in eighth with over 289,000 followers, meaning the Washington Commander from LSU can reach 75,200 accounts from posting and earn as much as $3,710 from sponsors in the process.
In ninth place, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots has over 257,000 followers making for a reach of 68,700 accounts and a potential earning of $3,720.
In tenth, Ricky Pearsall, drafted to the San Francisco 49ers, has 229,000 followers and a potential reach of 62,900, making for potential earnings per sponsored post of $3,400
Josh Lingenfelter of Vegas Gems commented on the findings: “With the NFL being the most attended and the most profitable sports league in the US, its newest stars constitute great assets for their teams in a multitude of ways, including ones off of the field.
With their mammoth followings, these top ten influential NFL prospects have the potential to build brands for themselves, as well as contributing to the sport as a whole, and to their franchises. It’s always interesting to see which athletes will flourish within the game, and within popular culture, and these young men are certainly likely candidates to do so.”
First & Jenn 
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