Predicting the Top Selling Nike Jerseys to Begin the NFL Season

The National Football League has proven to be more than just a sport, but also a billion dollar industry that continues to grow during each football season.

There are many football stars who will be in the spotlight and ultimately increase the league's profits in jersey sales alone.

As the league begins its first year with the new Nike jerseys, which players will be the most marketable this upcoming season?

Here are my predictions for the top selling NFL jerseys to begin the season.

10. Victor Cruz

Last season, Victor Cruz exploded onto the NFL season after a stellar preseason and was a major contributor in the New York Giants Super Bowl championship.

As a result, he is now of the more marketable commodities in a big New York City market. Despite the lack of attention the Giants receive on a consistent basis, Cruz' jersey will be a major seller during the upcoming season.

He is one of the more marketable players on the Giants, which is a very good sign for both the NFL and Nike. 

9. Eli Manning

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Super Bowl winning quarterback who threw plenty of passes to Victor Cruz on a consistent basis will be very marketable during the upcoming season.

Eli Manning is finally receiving the respect he deserves after winning a second Super Bowl ring and defeating Tom Brady in both championship games to do so.

The fact that he is the brother of Peyton Manning and has shared many advertising opportunities with him can only help him become one of the more marketable players in the NFL today.

8. Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson has become the face of the Detroit Lions, having played a crucial role in their first postseason appearance under the new regime.

He took the NFL by storm last year, proving to be an unstoppable force that no one could manage to limit consistently. Due to his domination, he was voted to be featured on the cover of Madden 13.

However, Johnson has not showed any indication of being hit with the dreaded "Madden Curse". Ultimately, he will become the most marketable receiver in 2012 as he's primed for another All-Pro season.

7. Tom Brady

Tom Brady has been the best quarterback for the past decade, and will continue to be a popular NFL figure across the country.

The NFL is fortunate that Brady plays in one of the bigger sports markets in the United States and has plenty of jerseys sold in the New England area as well as across the country.

With the New England Patriots primed for another successful season, Brady's jersey will continue to be an instant seller.

6. Aaron Rodgers

Tom Brady might be the best quarterback in the past decade, but Aaron Rodgers quickly became the NFL's top play-caller after winning a Super Bowl ring.

He has carried a franchise that is supported by a very big fan base despite being in a small market city. The Green Bay Packers are one of the more marketable organizations due to both their recent success along with the historic tradition dating back to the beginning of the NFL.

Rodgers has already become a known figure on television, one of the many ways that the NFL profits from his success.

5. Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is already living up to the expectations of becoming the No. 1 overall pick along with becoming the new face of a franchise that has been led by Peyton Manning for the past decade.

However, that hasn't affected Luck's performance in the preseason. He has shown his capability of taking full control of an offense even if he's only in his rookie season.

Each year, the more notable stars from college football become immediate superstars in the NFL and bring in more profit to the industry.

Luck is one of the two rookies this year who will be a very popular player among NFL fans.

4. Cam Newton

Cam Newton set the bar very high for future NFL rookies after his dominating rookie season for a young quarterback.

With the expectations at a higher level this year, Newton will be under the microscope around the league and will continue to become a more popular player who fans follow.

Despite playing in a small market city, Newton has received national attention since his Heisman season at Auburn and will continue to make his push to become the face of the entire league.

3. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III will be the most marketable rookie in 2012 for a variety of reasons. He is very appealing in the Washington D.C area, where fans are hoping for "RG3" to be the franchise quarterback this organization has lacked for quite some time.

Also, Griffin III is already an influence in the African American community, who have rallied behind Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick over the years.

With the new era beginning with the Washington Redskins, Griffin III will be an influential player in this league for quite some time.

2. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning begins a new start to his career with the Denver Broncos, an organization that witnessed the beginning of "Tebowmania" in the NFL.

In the offseason, they added a future Hall of Fame quarterback who adds a new dynamic to the team before stepping on the field.

The Broncos are the most popular professional sports team in the Colorado area, and has become one of the more popular franchises dating back to the days of John Elway.

Manning is among the many members on this list who have made extra profit through endorsement deals. His market should only continue to grow in Denver.

1. Tim Tebow

Whether you like it or hate it, Tim Tebow will be a polarizing figure in the New York market and his jersey will be the best seller to begin the season and continue throughout 2012.

Tebow will have the opportunity to play a crucial role with the New York Jets, and in many people's minds he can become the starting quarterback for this franchise.

He became the most popular figure in the NFL last season, and will make even a bigger impact on the NFL this upcoming year.