The NFL has never been known to have many signing athletes. It’s not a league like the NBA, where players are free from helmets and shoulder pads. As seen with Michael Jordan’s sneaker empire, the NBA has always encouraged individualism and the creation of personal brands. The NFL has seen tougher times on this front.

To be an iconic NFL sneaker star, there has to be some universal appeal that a player brings to selling shoes. Think of a two-sport phenomenon like Bo Jackson, a charismatic showman like Deion Sanders, a human film by Michel Vick, or even an outsider who has gone into fashion like Victor Cruz.

Patrick Mahomes and Saquon Barkley are the latest football players to receive the distinct honor of having their own coaches. Mahomes is arguably the best player in the NFL and is a big part of the future of Adidas football. The brand recently released the Mahomes 1.0 IMPACT FLX training shoe. Barkley recently unveiled the Nike Saquon Air Trainer III-a sneaker that Bo Jackson made popular two decades ago. Barkley’s version plays on 90s culture and New York street style.

So what other current players deserve their own kicks? It’s time to take a look at the best prospects.

Kyler Murray, Cardinals (Nike)

Murray is a rising superstar. The third-year QB is a big reason the Cardinals are a contender for the Black Horses this season. He’s electric and he showed in Game 1 of the season why he deserves your attention after throwing four touchdowns and taking one in the end zone. He is also a former athlete of two sports and is a member of the FaZe Clan. Murray is everything you would want from a signature sneaker QB in the age of social media.

Dak Prescott, Cowboys (Mark Jordan)

Prescott recently joined Jordan Brand after spending time with Adidas. He went on to become the only QB and highest paid NFL player on Jordan roster. The deal is a smart move for Jordan as the brand strengthens its presence in football. The Cowboys are a major draw as “Team America” ​​and Prescott has 2.3 million Instagram followers. Dak has already worn a few Air Jordan 1 spikes on the court and will have the opportunity to dive into the Jordan vault to get out whatever he wants.

Lamar Jackson, Ravens (sneaker free agent)

Jackson remains the biggest unsolved puzzle when it comes to NFL stars without sneaker deals. He is arguably the most marketable player in the league, but hasn’t rushed to sign a deal with a company. The former MVP said Illustrated sports that he is open to signing with a brand if the right opportunity arises. He has his own brand, Era 8 Apparel, and mentioned that he wanted to create his own thing.

“I feel like other big brands and the like already have their guys. I’m not going to say they’re arrogant, but they’ve made billions of dollars already and they’ve been doing it for so long, long before I was born as Nike and stuff like that. I might as well do it myself and I love clothes and I love shoes and I want people to look at my stuff and say, “Oh, that’s different. “”

DK Metcalf, Seahawks (Under Armor)

Metcalf quickly became an NFL favorite when he entered the league. He’s really good, and he’s also built like Thanos. Workout wonders like Bo Jackson and Metcalf have always drawn attention to brands. Metcalf is a world class runner who ran the 100 meters in 10.36 seconds at 6 ‘4 “and 235 pounds! There’s only one big problem in giving Metcalf his own basketball. The NFL recently expired The brand image of the company cannot be shown on the pitch Definitely a missed opportunity to build around a dynamic athlete.

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