NFL Rising Stars (Revealed): Which Players’ Socials Exploded After Weeks 1 and 2?
By
Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 19 September 2023
Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief
Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.
NFL Rising Stars
- Justin Jefferson and Jaylen Waddle Lead the Charge
- Mystery Player with the Largest % Increase in Followers
- Other Notable Risers
- Factors Which Influence Growth in Followers
- The Research Data: The Top 10 List
- Conclusion
In the midst of the NFL’s action-packed Weeks 1 and 2, several rising stars have witnessed a remarkable surge in their social media following. Beyond the touchdowns and tackles, these rising stars are igniting a digital storm, captivating fans on social media.
Justin Jefferson and Jaylen Waddle Lead the Charge
In the realm of NFL stardom, Justin Jefferson has already established himself as a colossal figure, and Week 1 and 2 of this season have further solidified his standing. The Minnesota Vikings’ standout receiver soared in both on-field performance and social media following, gaining a staggering 173,000 Instagram followers and 137,000 X followers during this brief period. His total follower increase of 310,000 reflects the immense appeal he holds both as a player and a personality.
| Rank | Player | Team | Instagram Followers Gained | X Followers Gained | Total Followers Gained |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 173,000 | 137,000 | 310,000 |
| 2 | Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins | 162,000 | 129,000 | 291,000 |
| 3 | Amon-Ra St. Brown | Detroit Lions | 153,000 | 115,000 | 268,000 |
| 4 | Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins | 146,000 | 107,000 | 253,000 |
| 5 | Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | 142,000 | 98,000 | 240,000 |
Not far behind, Jaylen Waddle, the dynamic Miami Dolphins receiver, exhibited a similar meteoric rise. With a remarkable 162,000 Instagram followers and 129,000 X followers gained, Waddle showcased his electrifying plays and engaging persona, resulting in an impressive total follower increase of 291,000. As they lead the charge, Jefferson and Waddle epitomize the new generation of NFL stars, captivating audiences not only with their performances on the field but also with their increasing influence in the digital realm.
Breakout Player with the Largest % Increase in Followers: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown was a surprise as he made the biggest percentage jump in social media followers after Weeks 1 and 2 of the NFL season. He is a third-year wide receiver for the Detroit Lions who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. St. Brown had a solid rookie season, but he broke out in Week 1 of the 2023 season with 10 receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up with eight receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in Week 2.
| Player | Team | Instagram follower % increase | X follower % increase | Total follower % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Detroit Lions | 30.50% | 58.40% | 42.80% |
| Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins | 21.20% | 33.60% | 26.20% |
| Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins | 21.00% | 33.00% | 25.60% |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | 14.80% | 22.40% | 18.30% |
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 14.20% | 18.50% | 17.10% |
St. Brown’s big performances on the field have led to a surge in his social media following. He gained over 150,000 followers on Instagram and X after Weeks 1 and 2, which is the biggest percentage jump of any player in the NFL.
There are a few reasons why St. Brown’s social media following has exploded in recent weeks. First, he is a young and charismatic player who is easy to root for. Second, he is playing for a team that is on the rise, as the Lions are expected to be one of the more competitive teams in the NFC this season. Third, St. Brown is putting up impressive numbers on the field, which is always a good way to gain fans.
It remains to be seen whether St. Brown can continue to put up big numbers and if his social media following will continue to grow. However, he is certainly one of the rising stars in the NFL, and he is worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks and months.
Other Notable Risers
In addition to the prominent performers, there are other notable risers making waves in the NFL social media sphere. Zach Wilson of the New York Jets showcased a strong presence, gaining 12.70% in Instagram followers and 11.90% in total followers. Similarly, Mac Jones from the New England Patriots experienced an 11.30% increase in Instagram followers and an overall 10.80% growth in followers.
| Player | Team | Instagram followers before Week 1 | Instagram followers at end of Week 2 | Instagram follower % increase | X followers before Week 1 | X followers at end of Week 2 | X follower % increase | Total follower % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Wilson | New York Jets | 448,000 | 505,000 | 12.70% | 199,000 | 221,000 | 11.10% | 11.90% |
| Mac Jones | New England Patriots | 733,000 | 815,000 | 11.30% | 372,000 | 410,000 | 10.20% | 10.80% |
| DeVonta Smith | Philadelphia Eagles | 1,320,000 | 1,418,000 | 7.40% | 633,000 | 682,000 | 7.70% | 7.50% |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals | 1,680,000 | 1,793,000 | 6.70% | 792,000 | 852,000 | 7.60% | 7.10% |
| CeeDee Lamb | Dallas Cowboys | 1,930,000 | 2,100,000 | 8.80% | 991,000 | 1,078,000 | 8.80% | 8.80% |
DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles) and Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals) demonstrated steady growth with a 7.50% and 7.10% total follower increase, respectively. CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) also impressed, boasting an 8.80% increase in both Instagram and total followers, solidifying their status as emerging social media stars in the NFL.
Factors Which Influence Growth in Followers
Several factors contribute to the significant growth in followers experienced by these NFL rising stars during Weeks 1 and 2. Engaging performances on the field, highlight-reel plays, and game-changing moments captivate fans, prompting them to connect with their favorite players on social platforms.
Additionally, strategic use of social media, including interactive content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and player insights, fosters a sense of connection and engagement. Furthermore, media coverage, endorsements, and team marketing efforts amplify the players’ visibility, enticing more followers to join their digital fan base.
The combination of stellar performances and effective digital engagement solidifies their status as the NFL’s rising stars. Wagering on the NFL’s MVP and Rookie of the Year awards stands as a thrilling pursuit for avid fans. Monitoring follower growth serves as a reliable indicator of rising stars.
The Research Data: The Top 10 List
This data showcases the substantial increase in both Instagram and X followers for these young athletes, emphasizing their rising popularity and influence in the digital realm as they continue to make their mark in the NFL.
| Player | Team | Instagram followers before Week 1 | Instagram followers at end of Week 2 | Instagram follower % increase | X followers before Week 1 | X followers at end of Week 2 | X follower % increase | Total follower % increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Jefferson | Minnesota Vikings | 1,220,000 | 1,393,000 | 14.2% | 746,000 | 883,000 | 18.5% | 17.1% |
| Jaylen Waddle | Miami Dolphins | 764,000 | 926,000 | 21.2% | 387,000 | 516,000 | 33.6% | 26.2% |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | Detroit Lions | 501,000 | 654,000 | 30.5% | 197,000 | 312,000 | 58.4% | 42.8% |
| Tua Tagovailoa | Miami Dolphins | 695,000 | 841,000 | 21% | 324,000 | 431,000 | 33% | 25.6% |
| Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | 958,000 | 1,100,000 | 14.8% | 438,000 | 536,000 | 22.4% | 18.3% |
| CeeDee Lamb | Dallas Cowboys | 1,930,000 | 2,100,000 | 8.8% | 991,000 | 1,078,000 | 8.8% | 8.8% |
| Ja’Marr Chase | Cincinnati Bengals | 1,680,000 | 1,793,000 | 6.7% | 792,000 | 852,000 | 7.6% | 7.1% |
| DeVonta Smith | Philadelphia Eagles | 1,320,000 | 1,418,000 | 7.4% | 633,000 | 682,000 | 7.7% | 7.5% |
| Mac Jones | New England Patriots | 733,000 | 815,000 | 11.3% | 372,000 | 410,000 | 10.2% | 10.8% |
| Zach Wilson | New York Jets | 448,000 | 505,000 | 12.7% | 199,000 | 221,000 | 11.1% | 11.9% |
It’s essential to note that this list is based on the change in follower count between Week 1 and Week 2, specifically highlighting the rapid growth of these players’ popularity on social media. Established players like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, although having millions of followers, did not experience a significant spike in followers during these weeks.
Conclusion
The surge in social media followers for these young players underscores their increasing popularity and the excitement surrounding their potential to become prominent figures in the NFL. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on them to see if they can sustain their high-level performance and solidify their status as future stars of the league.
