Favorite Rookie Card

[cjburkha]

Hey everyone new to this forum thanks.

What is everyones favorite rookie card to target, like brand and style.

I used to briefly target the rookie ticket cards but I don't think they exist anymore.

Any definitive rookie card in football similar to Bowman First in baseball?

Thanks for your insight.

[TheFrenzy]

Welcome to the forum!

Are you looking for favorites of present-day cards or peoples’ all-time favorite?

[4barrel]

I like Optic Rated Rookie stuff. That Rated Rookie logo gives me a big nostalgia dump.

[cjburkha]

Thanks!

I am looking for if you were looking to buy a 2023 RC which series would you target? Like I want a Jayden Reed rookie, what is best type of card of his to get (would apply to all rookies)

[cjburkha]

Originally Posted by 4barrel

I like Optic Rated Rookie stuff. That Rated Rookie logo gives me a big nostalgia dump.

I will check it out thanks

[cjburkha]

Also, what about autographs?

I am new at everything but know more about baseball. Most of those autos are on the card, football looks like stickers.

Any series that has on card auto vs stickers for football rookies?

Thanks again

[Kingofkings1281]

I prefer Impeccable to any other rookie. On card autos, great design and normally less copies than the over priced National Treasures.

[deemsterz33]

Originally Posted by cjburkha

Thanks!

I am looking for if you were looking to buy a 2023 RC which series would you target? Like I want a Jayden Reed rookie, what is best type of card of his to get (would apply to all rookies)

I'm a sucker for Prizm Blue Ice /99. Also, a Green Prizm or Green Scope /75 would look nice with the color match (not the Green Pulsar).

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by cjburkha

Also, what about autographs?

I am new at everything but know more about baseball. Most of those autos are on the card, football looks like stickers.

Any series that has on card auto vs stickers for football rookies?

Thanks again

Optic holos and Prizm silvers have been some of the most reliable mid-range cards, but with Panini cranking the presses lately they’ve dropped and anything serial numbered has jumped.

It’s actually a tricky question in 2024.

If you’re looking to diversify, seriously consider some Bowman University Chrome 1st cards as well. Fanatics (which owns Topps/Bowman) is taking over and there’s a good chance these cards turn out to be highly desired like in baseball.

As for autos, we’re still coming down off the pandemic pump, so both stickers and oncard go for more than they should (though it’s getting better). Immaculate has some really pretty cards if you don’t care about National Treasures hype, and the Contenders autos have more history than any current release.

[Wrong Lever]

Prizm, Optic, or Contenders definitely have the brand value right now, but I love Luminance and Gold Standard for the inserts and design.

[Rememberthepast]

This has the smell of someone already here on the boards that is despised! I’m new to football, but know baseball with autos being mostly in card. HHHMmmmmmmm

[TheFrenzy]

Originally Posted by Rememberthepast

This has the smell of someone already here on the boards that is despised! I’m new to football, but know baseball with autos being mostly in card. HHHMmmmmmmm

I dunno, nothing in this person’s 4 posts sets off my PBM alarm.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I’d rather err on the side of being welcoming because Lord knows we need some new faces around here.

[jplarson]

Originally Posted by cjburkha

I used to briefly target the rookie ticket cards but I don't think they exist anymore.

Depending how long you've been out of the game I think you're referring to Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph cards. That brand is owned by Panini and comes in Contenders and Contenders Optic (a chromed up version of Contenders). They still exist though likely won't after 2025 when Fanatics takes over licensing. Those are decent cards to go after, personally I prefer Contenders over Contenders Optic but that's based on personal aesthetics.

Prizm, Donruss Optic, and Donruss are good mid to low end options that are popular. I'm also a big fan of Phoenix but that's due to it being the closest thing Panini has to Topps Finest.

I don't dabble in high end stuff so I'd defer to others at that segment.

Best of luck on your card collecting/selling journey!

[kluke84]

My favorite for a budget is Optic RR Holo.

Better is an Optic #'d color match RR.

As for my favorite sets, Immaculate really flashes.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Rememberthepast

This has the smell of someone already here on the boards that is despised! I’m new to football, but know baseball with autos being mostly in card. HHHMmmmmmmm

My first thought was the same.

[johnkeller]

Originally Posted by deemsterz33

I'm a sucker for Prizm Blue Ice /99. Also, a Green Prizm or Green Scope /75 would look nice with the color match (not the Green Pulsar).

Prizm Blue Ice are really sweet, lots of people especially target these. I love the Prizm ice cards in general. Depending on the year, orange and red are easy to find.

I collect Justin Fields rookie Prizm cards. I have all the ice variation. For 2021, the scarcity (from most plentiful to most scarce) goes from: Red - Orange - Purple - Blue - Green (am I forgetting any?).

[hermanotarjeta]

Flawless and NT.

[kluke84]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Flawless and NT.

Outside of perceived ROI, why?
NT has legacy but poor QC
Flawless legacy is it is best keeping in the case vs. Getting graded an 8.
And patches are now fake

[gazzwold]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

Flawless and NT.

I know there’s a lot of drama going on between Panini and Fanatics. Is the general belief that Panini will continue to make Flawless and NT collegiate? I know for 2023 they lost the license to a handful of colleges.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by kluke84

Outside of perceived ROI, why?
NT has legacy but poor QC
Flawless legacy is it is best keeping in the case vs. Getting graded an 8.
And patches are now fake

On card autos on a clean white background.

The closest panini has gotten to upper deck exquisite.

They are very limited and not everyone can get them.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by gazzwold

I know there’s a lot of drama going on between Panini and Fanatics. Is the general belief that Panini will continue to make Flawless and NT collegiate? I know for 2023 they lost the license to a handful of colleges.

If they can make a profit from it, they will make it.

[gazzwold]

Originally Posted by TheFrenzy

If you’re looking to diversify, seriously consider some Bowman University Chrome 1st cards as well. Fanatics (which owns Topps/Bowman) is taking over and there’s a good chance these cards turn out to be highly desired like in baseball.

As a college football fan and someone getting back into collecting I’ve fallen in love with these cards recently. They feel like a true authentic “college card” to me and I love how unlike with Panini collegiate products it’s just players that are in college. No vets in college uni. I also loved the release date being during the college season.

Do people feel like the market will value the 1st cards more for players that are in the Bowman Chrome U lineup for multiple years? For example, will Caleb’s ‘22 cards hold higher value in the long-term than his ‘23. Or will they both be looked similar.

[Archangel1775]

Panini is the only NFL and NFL Player's Association licensed card manufacturer presently. Fanatics/Topps will be taking over as the exclusive producer in a few years once Panini's present deal expires.

As for order of importance for base cards

1. Prizm
2. Optic
3. The Rest

Order of importance for Autographed-Only Rookie Cards
1A. Contenders/Contenders Optic
1B. Optic
3. The Rest

Order of importance for Rookie Patch Autos
1. National Treasures*
2. Flawless
3. The Rest

*For the NT RPA's, the most important card is the card numbered as part of the base set. The inserts come afterwards.

Good luck!

[cjburkha]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

Panini is the only NFL and NFL Player's Association licensed card manufacturer presently. Fanatics/Topps will be taking over as the exclusive producer in a few years once Panini's present deal expires.

As for order of importance for base cards

1. Prizm
2. Optic
3. The Rest

Order of importance for Autographed-Only Rookie Cards
1A. Contenders/Contenders Optic
1B. Optic
3. The Rest

Order of importance for Rookie Patch Autos
1. National Treasures*
2. Flawless
3. The Rest

*For the NT RPA's, the most important card is the card numbered as part of the base set. The inserts come afterwards.

Good luck!

Thanks this is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks for everyone in this thread, I will look into all of these and digest a bit.

[cjburkha]

Couple follow-ups, I know things are in flux due to Panini / Tops / fanatics dispute.

I cannot find some of these and this might be my biggest struggle with football.

I am looking at this release schedule https://www.beckett.com/news/2023-fo...es-checklists/

1. I don't see Optic on that schedule, is that just a variation of the main sets? (Prizm or Contenders)
2. I don't see Contenders/Contenders Optic for 2023 or on that list
3. For National Treasures and Flawless I only see collegiate
A collector friend of mine told me you really want rookie cards in their NFL uni. Is that changing? https://www.beckett.com/news/2023-pa...ootball-cards/