Rookie cards of top 5 NFL draft picks

As is always the case the big-name rookies are under the microscope in their respective NFL training camps. After all, teams have plenty of invested and anything less than making a major impact will be viewed as failure. Speaking of investment, let’s take a look at the top five draft picks in this year’s draft and how their football cards are performing heading into the first full week of preseason games.


1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Texans
Glamour position players receive, well, most of the glamour when it comes to football cards. Still, as the top pick and a big name entering the draft there are plenty of collectors wanting his Clowney’s cards. Many of his autograph cards can be had for less than $50. There are also limited-production signed cards – Bowman Chrome and Leaf Metal, for example -- fetching up to a few hundred bucks. As for basic rookie cards, various Bowman, Panini and Score issues are available for less than $10. On the field, it should be an interesting preseason for Clowney.

2. Greg Robinson, OL, Rams
Outside of kickers and punters, offensive linemen are generally at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to popularity among football card collectors. As a result, signed Robinson cards that are numbered to less than 100 may not command even $25. The good news, of course, is that those wanting cards of the former Auburn All-America can acquire them inexpensively. Basic Bowman, Panini and other basic rookie cards are readily available for a dollar.

3. Blake Bortles, QB, Jaguars
Many of Bortles’ autographed cards are $50-$100, including attractive issues such as an SPx auto/jersey numbered to 50 and a Leaf Trinity auto/patch card. On the higher end and at about $1,000 are Bowman Chrome Prism Refractors numbered to five. Bortles has a few nice jersey cards, with Upper Deck SPx and Panini Elite among them, for less than $15. Basic rookie cards from all brands are only a couple of bucks.

4. Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
A dynamic player who had many highlight-reel moments at Clemson, Watkins’ Upper Deck Exquisite and SPx signed jersey cards numbered to 10 or less are attracting $200-$400 with several other signed cards going for at least $100, though many are available for less, especially those that were produced in higher quantities. Basic cards and slightly more difficult variations of them go for as little as a couple of dollars.

5. Khalil Mack, LB, Raiders
Many of Mack’s basic cards, such as Bowman and Leaf, are easy at a buck or two while some nice signed cards can be found for less than $20. Among those are Bowman Chrome and Panini Prestige. Those produced in very limited quantity are generally $50-$100. Among them are Panini Hot Rookie Artist’s Proof and Bowman Chrome Red. He has the potential to be a big-time impact linebacker, so some these cards, especially those professionally-graded, might – might – soon prove to be a bargain.