He was the eleventh overall pick in the draft. As of Friday, however, Cowboys safety Caleb Downs had the top-selling jersey among all rookies.
Fanatics has announced, via Fox Sports, the ten best-selling rookie jerseys in the wake of the 2026 draft. Downs leads the way.
Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, lands at No. 5. That’s one spot behind Steelers rookie quarterback Drew Allar, a third-round pick, who sits at No. 4.
Here’s the full top ten: (1) Downs; (2) Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez; (3) Cowboys linebacker Malachi Lawrence; (4) Allar; (5) Mendoza; (6) Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson; (7) Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love; (8) Patriots offensive lineman Caleb Lomu; (9) Bears safety Dillon Thieneman; (10) Jets linebacker David Bailey.
The presence of two Cowboys defensive players in the top three and two Dolphins defensive players in the top six could be a reflection of the overall optimism the fans of those teams are currently feeling. For Dallas, the offense is among the best in the league; it won’t take much defensive improvement to make the team a contender. As to the Dolphins, it’s a new era with the hiring of G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley.
It’s somewhat surprising that none of the four receivers taken in the first round made the list. And the absence of Rams quarterback Ty Simpson reflects the reality that he’ll be spending a year (or two, or maybe three) behind Matthew Stafford.
The numbers will surely change once the depth charts are determined for 2026 and, after that, the games are played. The rookies who play and play well will see a spike in jersey sales.
The Eagles have a couple of veteran running backs trying out at their rookie minicamp this weekend.
Elijah Mitchell and Khalil Herbert are both on the roster that the team gave to reporters at the first day of the minicamp.
Mitchell spent his first three seasons with the 49ers, missed the 2024 season with a hamstring injury and played in one game for the Chiefs last year. He has 327 carries for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns for his entire career.
Herbert had 16 carries for 52 yards in seven games for the Jets last season. He has 416 carries for 1,957 yards and nine touchdowns in 63 career games for the Jets, Bengals and Bears.
Wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson, offensive lineman Michael Jordan, and edge rusher Isaiah Thomas are also trying out this weekend.
Earlier this week, free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson had a visit with the Jets. He’s also looking at another potential path.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that Wilson is in “deep discussions” to embark on a television career. Per Marchand, CBS is considered to be the favorite.
Wilson has made bye-week appearances with CBS, and its Sunday studio show currently has an opening after the departure of Matt Ryan for a high-level job with the Falcons.
Marchand also reports that CBS has shown interest in Hall of Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly.
With Wilson firmly in the backup-at-best phase of his football career, it makes sense to explore available options in TV. Very few quarterbacks who were once the highest-paid player in the league choose to continue as understudies when their opportunities as starters have dried up. (Joe Flacco is the rare exception.)
Wilson, who seems to be interested in remaining in the New York area, could work for CBS from its Manhattan studio. It makes too much sense to not happen, if CBS ultimately decides to make him an offer — and if he accepts it.
Wilson, a third-round pick in 2012, won a Super Bowl and went to another during a decade with the Seahawks. He then spent two seasons with the Broncos, one with the Steelers, and one with the Giants. He started three games in 2025 before being benched for rookie Jaxson Dart.
With the Jets, Wilson would be the backup to Geno Smith, Wilson’s former backup in Seattle.
The Jets announced on Wednesday that they have exercised their fifth-year option on edge rusher Will McDonald’s contract, but they did not share their plans for defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
The lack of word from the team suggested that they have decided to pass on picking up the option and Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports that is the case. Smith would have been guaranteed $13.931 million under the terms of the option year.
Dallas picked Smith with the 26th overall selection in the 2023 draft and he was traded to the Jets as part of the Quinnen Williams deal last year. He appeared in three games for the Jets after having 57 tackles and two sacks in 39 games for the Cowboys.
Passing on the option was expected given Smith’s underwhelming production in the league, but he could still play himself into the Jets’ plans for the future with a strong 2026. If he doesn’t, he will be set for unrestricted free agency next March.
Former NFL quarterback and Fox analyst Mark Sanchez faces criminal charges in Indianapolis arising from a fight with a 69-year-old truck driver.
The trial against Sanchez has been delayed, again.
Via WRTV, the date for the trial has been moved from May 28 to July 13. A pre-trial conference is set for July 8.
It’s the fourth time the trial date has been moved.
Sanchez faces a charge of felony battery and multiple misdemeanors. Under the felony battery charge, Sanchez faces up to six years in prison.
The truck driver, Perry Tole, has sued Sanchez and others.
During the fight, Tole stabbed Sanchez multiple times. Tole was not charged; the authorities concluded he was acting in self-defense.
