VKTRY GEAR counted 74 NFL Draft picks, including 33 in the first three rounds, as wearers of their Performance Insoles as they prepped for the just completed 2021 draft, especially during Pro Days. Topping the user list was Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, drafted fourth by the Atlanta Falcons, a new record high selection for a TE draftee. Recently injured Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets was selected third in the 2019 draft, making him the highest VKTRY Gear wearer in company history. The Mackey Award winner recently starred in ESPN’s “Hey Rookie: Welcome to the NFL” four-part series produced by NFL Films as part of predraft coverage. Pitts joined 32 other picks in the top three rounds training for Pro Days and the NFL Draft by using VKTRY Insoles inside their variety of training shoes. Their carbon fiber insoles were a a key part of Draft prep. Included on the user list were NFL prospects playing almost every position, including first rounders: Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater (13th by Los Angeles Chargers), Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins (16th by Arizona Cardinals), Miami DE Jaelen Phillips (18th by Miami Dolphins), and Alabama Running Back Najee Harris (24th by Pittsburgh Steelers). Consumers are watching this industry trend with eagerness wanting to jump onboard.
“The world’s best athletes are discovering the increased performance benefits and the injury protection that our carbon fiber insoles provide, and that was very clear in this year’s NFL Draft,” said VKTRY CEO Steve Wasik. “Every day we get more requests from athletes for our insoles, none more than in the NFL, be it in this next generation of stars or in the growing number of veterans who are making VKs ‘Must Haves’ when they take the field.”
Hey Rookie: Kyle Pitts
Pitts was the consensus best college football TE last season. His final stats were limited by injury but still resulted in catching 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in less than 12 games.
I live in Atlanta and will share that I wrote on Facebook the Falcons should draft Pitts at pick 4 unless quarterback Justin Fields (from Georgia) was there. For the record, Fields was there but Pitts was in fact new Head Coach, Arthur Smith, and new GM, Terry Fontenot’s, first pick all along.
Hey Rookie ran on April 13, 20, 27, and May 5 as NFL Films followed Pitts, Fields, Penn State LB Micah Parson, and Jaycee Horn, CB from South Carolina, during their final college football experiences, life in their hometowns, and for Pitts, while wearing VKTRY Insoles during training days, Pro Days scouting by NFL teams, and Draftday when they officially became rookies.
2021 Rookie Class
After the draft, fans know more about the picks than what good friends have been doing the past year during the pandemic. Therefore, Rashawn Slater, sliding to 13 for the Chargers to logically select to protect the back side of the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, QB Justin Herbert, was an easy pick for both a needed and potential All Pro tackle. His VKs are credited below in the quote.
“We’re always told by our coaches that you’re only as strong as your foundation… it all starts with your feet and VKs give me the ability to explode forward and absorb force,” said Rashawn Slater.” The energy return is the biggest thing… you can feel it. VKs feel way different than a normal insole and they help me reduce the risk of injury and that means everything.”
My first round NFL Draft grades are high once again for the Arizona Cardinals picking strong side linebacker Zavon Collins to bookend with last year’s number 8 pick, Clemson LB Isiah Simmons. As a Seattle Seahawks fan, this tandem looks like trouble for Russell Wilson and the rest of the NFC West. His VKs are performance real difference makers.
“Once you become accustomed to the feeling of VKTRY Insoles, it helps to elevate your game. From a lower body standpoint, the explosiveness with VKs is crazy,” added Collins. “The only time I wasn’t wearing them was when I was sleeping. That subconscious thought helps you play at least 1% faster or 1% better, which is a giant gain in the league.”
John Elway has not been so good at the NFL Draft so in stepped new hire, GM George Paton, who then slyly maneuvered the Denver Broncos up to the 35th pick via trade to take University of North Carolina running back, Javonte Williams. Training and playing home games at Empower Field at Mile High will give him a competitive edge just like his VKs.
“VKTRY Insoles made me a lot more explosive,” said Williams. “In the past when I didn’t have them I would have to stop or slow down because my feet started hurting. With the VKTRY Insoles I can keep going all day.”
Carbon Fiber Insoles Believers
The 2020 NFL pandemic ridden season saw a record 200 NFL players representing 29 of 32 teams. The company record leapfrogged to a 300% increase over 2019. A stable of young stars and proven veterans in the NFL wear VKTRY’s including Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (former University of GA student athlete), Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, Washington RB Antonio Gibson, Buffalo Bills RB Devin Singletary, San Francisco 49ers WR “Deebo” Samuel, the Seahawks and 100-yard dash sprinter, WR DK Metcalf, and Jets Williams, Buffalo Bills CB Josh Norman, Chicago Bears WR Anthony Miller, LA Chargers OT Brian Bulaga, Denver Broncos TE Noah Fant, New York Giants TE Evan Engram, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, Pittsburgh Steelers LB Devin Bush, and hundreds of others, wore VKs.
College athletes representing every Power Five Conference used VKs for the first time during their Pro Days.
The “VKTRY4HEROES” program in support and appreciation of our country’s dedicated health care professionals made believers out of the more than 700 free VKTRY Insoles heath care workers and first responders as they work together to help defeat this pandemic. More information at www.VKTRYGEAR.com
Sports Techie, I grade the Draftday guerilla marketing accomplishment of getting VKTRY GEAR insoles on potential draftees for the very first time at Pro Days as an A+ move.
Just like adding Pitts and the rest of the 2021 draft class as the newest, happy VKTRY Insoles wearers.
What are the odds VKTRY GEAR doubles the amount of established vets and want to be NFL rookie users by 2022?
That may be the easiest bet of the year to win.
See you later sportstechie in Seattle, Atlanta and around the world!
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