Marcus Mariota Tops NFL's Jersey Sales for May

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is already one of the NFL's most popular players, and he hasn't even taken a snap.

Darren Rovell of ESPN.com reported that Mariota edged fellow rookie Jameis Winston to top jersey sales in the month of May. Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Odell Beckham Jr. rounded out the top five.

Rank	Player
1	Marcus Mariota
2	Jameis Winston
3	Tom Brady
4	Russell Wilson
5	Odell Beckham Jr.
6	Rob Gronkowski
7	Colin Kaepernick
8	Dez Bryant
9	Aaron Rodgers
10	Peyton Manning

The Titans planned an entire marketing movement around the draft's No. 2 pick, via Paul Kuharsky of ESPN, and put up digital billboards throughout Nashville. Tennessee (and Oregon Ducks) fans clearly responded and scooped up his jersey months before the start of the preseason. The team has not been to the postseason in six years but hopes it has a bright future ahead with Mariota at the helm.

Mariota spoke about the news on The Midday 180, calling it "surreal," via Kuharsky.

It is somewhat surprising that an impending rookie topped this list over established stars, but Mariota is already a household name from his time at Oregon. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2014, boasts an impressive image off the field and played at one of the most popular football programs in the country.

What's more, Mariota led the Ducks to the national championship game and was in the spotlight throughout the season.

Jeff Lewis/Associated Press

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk suggested as much while hinting at what's to come:

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Mariota was a popular Heisman Trophy winner at Oregon who enters the NFL with a significant fan base. It also helps that Mariota (unlike the only player drafted ahead of him, Jameis Winston) has a squeaky-clean image off the field.

So for now, Mariota is among the NFL's top stars. But that popularity won't last long unless he can prove himself on the field.

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If Mariota wants to parlay this popularity into a starting quarterback spot in 2015, he must beat out incumbent Zach Mettenberger for the job. From a financial standpoint, it makes sense to start the Oregon product. The Titans will sell more tickets and keep eyeballs trained on Tennessee throughout the season if his jersey sales are any indication.

However, it is all about winning football games at the NFL level. A successful season will also keep Tennessee in the spotlight and sell tickets, and Mariota must prove that he represents the best chance at earning victories.