The 2018 NFL rookie class has brought back some good memories for card shops, online sellers, case breakers and collectors. Much like the 2015 or 2016 editions, the ’18 draft was headlined by possible impact offensive players, which even before the first pre-season game was music to the ears of those who deal in current issues.
So far, none of them have disappointed.
With two headquartered in the nation’s largest media market, the potential for boom or bust is equally great but as of now, the arrows seem to point in a positive direction for Sam Darnold and Saquon Barkley.
Collectors and speculators have been actively buying, but the general appearance is a wait-and-see approach.
Barkley’s cards seem to be the most popular in the early going. Among the big sales:
- An Elite Turn of the Century Orange Auto (# to 10) which sold for $3,600 on July 2.
- A Gold Standard 1/1 NFL Shield rookie auto, sold for $3,000 on July 15
- An Elite Die-Cut Emerald auto (# to 5), graded PSA 10, sold for $3,000 on August 4.
Darnold, who won Jets’ starting quarterback job, has seen his autographs climb in recent days. Someone recently paid $2,000 for a 1/1 Diamond card from a Panini Black Box handed out to VIP party goers during the National Sports Collectors Convention.
Browns fans are hoping they’ve finally hit on a great young quarterback with Baker Mayfield. His 2018 National Treasures Collegiate Rookie Patch auto (#2/2), sold for $1,951 not long ago while a 1/1 Gold Standard Laundry Tag 1/1 went for $1,799.
Cards of rookie quarterbacks Josh Rosen, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are others to keep an eye on. Many of Allen’s autographed cards have been selling for under $50. Of course, there could be other rookies who emerge once the NFL season progresses, some of whom may not even be in the early conversation.
You can check out the 50 current most watched 2018 football card listings at auction via the live list below.
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