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Final Up to date On: August twenty eighth, 2024
With the Paris Olympics within the books, the countdown to soccer season is on. Whether or not it’s Giants propaganda clips of Exhausting Knocks, preseason brawls, or fantasy soccer reveals, followers are champing on the bit to kick off the season.
Right here at Solely Greats, we really feel the identical method. That’s why we’ve put collectively the next 2024-25 soccer playing cards information, designed to supply a preview of gamers we’re enthusiastic about, keeping track of, and dumping. Very like our NBA and MLB preseason guides, we’ve damaged our NFL information into a number of classes designed to absorb as a lot preseason protection as doable.
Do not forget that, in contrast to basketball, soccer playing cards are likely to have their values concentrated round particular positions (learn: quarterbacks and, to a lesser extent, huge receivers). To the Micah Parsonses and Maxx Crosbys of the world, apologies.
With out additional ado, let’s bounce in!
Rookie QBs: Purchase or Wait
The 2024 NFL draft noticed a record-tying six quarterbacks taken within the first spherical. Some (like Caleb Williams, first general) conformed to expectations heading into draft evening, whereas others (like Michael Penix, Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks) raised various eyebrows.
Whereas every group hopes they drafted their quarterback of the long run, historical past tells us in any other case. At finest, the QB-heavy class may very well be nearer to the 2020 draft that noticed Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love, and Jalen Hurts – all starters – chosen). At worst, we’re a 2021 iteration during which Mac Jones, Trey Lance, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson are already on their second groups.
Since most NFL card values are clustered round a) rookie playing cards and b) quarterbacks, it’s essential to spend just a little time speaking about every prime choose and provide some steering about whether or not we’re shopping for or promoting every as a big-time professional.
Caleb Williams
Per Vegas Insiders, Caleb Williams is the heavy favourite to take dwelling Offensive Rookie of the Yr honors, and for good motive. Ever since rescuing the Oklahoma Sooners from a near-catastrophic loss to Texas in 2022, Williams’ inventory has been sky-high (some have even in contrast him to Patrick Mahomes).
Williams enters a reasonably enviable state of affairs in Chicago. His huge receiver room was already enviable, with Kennan Allen and D.J. Moore in tow. Add in ninth general choose Rome Odunze, and the Bears ought to be capable of make the most of Williams’ stellar arm energy. Equally useful: the Bears boast an above-average offensive line, giving the rookie much-needed cowl as he secures his footing.
Nevertheless, for all of Williams’ expertise and supporting forged, I wish to spotlight a 3rd issue: location. The Bears are one of many oldest groups within the league, but they’ve been wandering the quarterback wilderness since… Jay Cutler? It’s been 13 years for the reason that group has gained a playoff recreation.
Recall that earlier than Patrick Mahomes joined the Chiefs, the franchise was mired in dysfunction and poor on-field outcomes. What a distinction a couple of years makes! This X-factor provides one other stage Williams’ playing cards may attain value-wise.
Verdict: Purchase
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Jayden Daniels
Like Williams, Daniels joins a franchise within the Washington Commanders starved of success. Between modifications to the group’s identify and possession, Washington is certainly trying to write a brand new chapter in its historical past. The query turns into what sort of creator rookie Jayden Daniels can be.
Additionally, like Williams, Daniels is surrounded by a bevy of weapons. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson discovered methods to succeed regardless of the group’s revolving door of QB expertise, and Austin Ekeler is an improve within the backfield.
Sadly, Daniels’ offensive line is a piece in progress. PFF ranks the unit because the sixth-worst within the league, which isn’t superb for an undersized quarterback with a historical past of accidents.
Although he’ll be compelled to make use of his legs usually to interrupt out of a collapsing pocket, that may really play into his recreation as a dual-threat quarterback. However that harm threat is regarding, and it’s onerous to not recall with concern Washington’s last foray with a flashy dual-threat quarterback.
Count on your eyes to get a exercise, each coming out of your head at a few of his electrical playmaking and wincing at brutal hits.
Verdict: Wait
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Drake Maye
As soon as upon a time, UNC quarterback Drake Maye was anticipated to vie with Williams for the highest choose. However a quiet yr at Chapel Hill noticed his inventory dip ever so barely in opposition to the propulsive play of Jayden Daniels.
Maye enters a Patriots group at a crossroads. On one hand, you’d anticipate Patriots followers to have a excessive customary of excellence for quarterbacks, given Tom Brady’s legendary profession in Foxboro. On the opposite, this isn’t your dad’s Pats group. Invoice Belichick is gone, and the group has cycled via a number of lackluster choices below heart, together with a washed Cam Newton and damaged Mac Jones.
It will behoove the Patriots to make use of child gloves with Maye. He’s an excellent playmaker with a giant arm, however the group’s O-Line is worse than the Commanders’. But even when the Patriots maintain off on throwing Maye to the flame, it may very well be a lovely buy-low alternative for followers. As collectors gravitate towards beginning rookies, will they overlook Maye? Doubtlessly. Pure expertise apart, that is perhaps the most important buy-factor for Maye’s playing cards.
Verdict: Purchase
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Bo Nix
In some ways, Bo Nix personifies the unusual period of collegiate sports activities we’re dwelling via. He was a real freshman in 2019, the identical yr Patrick Mahomes gained his first MVP award, and (look forward to it) Andrew Luck gained Comeback Participant of the Yr. Sean Payton coached the New Orleans Saints, and rookie Drew Lock was the expectant starter for the Denver Broncos.
5 years later, Luck is retired, Mahomes is a god, Lock is choosing daisies in Seattle, and Payton is the Broncos’ skipper. Nix joins a Broncos franchise keen to place the Russell Wilson experiment within the rearview and usher in a brand new period of soccer in Denver.
I’m barely on the fence about Nix the participant, however relatively bullish on his prospects. His greatest knock coming into the league was whether or not his excessive school manufacturing translated outdoors of Oregon’s scheme. However in contrast to a number of different names on this checklist, Nix is a digital lock to start out. As well as, he’s additionally appeared comfy within the pocket throughout preseason, enjoying behind a median offensive line.
Will he mild the world on fireplace? Perhaps not. However should you’re trying to capitalize on some early hype and flip Nix’s playing cards, cash may very well be made.
Verdict: Purchase
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The Non-Starters
There was a second after I was quietly excessive on J.J. McCarthy. There have been no ensures that McCarthy would begin, as a substitute compelled right into a camp battle with ghostbuster Sam Darnold. Even when Darnold was named the starter, I all the time felt time without work would profit McCarthy.
Then he tore his meniscus.
However hey, at the least there’s a shot we see McCarthy subsequent season. Within the case of the Atlanta Falcons, many anticipated the group to shore up the defensive position after utilizing free company so as to add Kirk Cousins to a core that features Drake London and Bijan Robinson.
So confusion abounded when the Falcons chosen 24-year-old signal-caller Michael Penix, Jr. with the eighth general choose when each single defensive participant was nonetheless on the board. Sadly, the analysis of Penix the participant has gotten misplaced within the discourse across the Falcons’ poor determination.
However even when Penix is the second coming of Tom Brady, he’ll sit behind Cousins. In reality, with Cousins tied to a four-year cope with Atlanta, it’s possible that Penix gained’t begin till he’s 28 years outdated. For reference, that’s the identical age as Patrick Mahomes proper now, after years of expertise and reps.
With McCarthy’s knee (and season) on ice and Penix’s future cloudier than a London fog, it’s powerful to gauge the values of their rookie playing cards.
Verdict: Wait
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Rookie Receivers
Quarterbacks can’t have all of the enjoyable, proper? We’re in an period of high-octane offenses, sometimes constructed round huge receivers who shred safeties, corners, and report books with ease. I gained’t go as far as to say the present wideouts are one of the best ever to play the place, nevertheless it’s not a stretch to say that that is the deepest the place has ever been.
On this yr’s draft, seven huge receivers had been chosen within the first spherical and 10 within the prime 37 picks. With the educational curve for these rookies smaller than ever, we should always anticipate to see at the least a couple of make prompt impacts.
Rome Odunze
A lot has been made in recent times about groups drafting QB-WR combos from the identical faculty. Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle, Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith, Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase.
However let’s take a step deeper: QBs and WRs taken in the identical draft. The checklist isn’t lengthy and doesn’t all the time work out (it’s powerful to search out apparent expertise at each positions in later rounds), however there may be an thrilling comp right here: Burrow and Tee Higgins, each chosen within the 2020 draft.
Over these 4 years, Higgins has notched 1,000-yard receiving seasons twice, in addition to a 900-yard marketing campaign in his rookie yr. There’s one thing about going via a rookie season collectively that binds gamers collectively. In Burrow and Higgins’ case, the proof is within the manufacturing.
This brings us to Rome Odunze, chosen ninth general, who will catch passes from Caleb Williams, chosen first general. The chemistry between them is already palpable. Odunze isn’t the identical kind of athlete as Higgins; the previous is rather more explosive, whereas the latter depends on his dimension to make performs.
The one caveat we touched on within the part about Williams is the already crowded huge receiver room. However given Williams and Odunze’s shared rookie expertise, it wouldn’t shock me if the receiver turned Williams’ go-to in crunch time.
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Xavier Worthy
You didn’t assume we’d skip over the following heralded Chiefs steal of the draft, did you? In recent times, the Chiefs have made a behavior of pulling rabbits out of a hat – whether or not it’s Rashee Rice, Skye Moore, or commerce acquisition Kadarius Toney – this can be a group that has roughly scotch-taped the offense collectively round Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
Xavier Worthy represents the newest such effort. The Longhorn was a beast his freshman season, hauling 12 TDs on simply over 900 yards. His subsequent two seasons? Mixed for 14 scores (though final yr he did eclipse 1,000 yards receiving).
Worthy’s actual declare to fame got here within the pre-draft course of, the place he broke the mix report 40-yard sprint time—that point, mixed with Worthy’s ending up on the Chiefs, led some to whisper a couple of second coming of former Chiefs speedster Tyreek Hill.
I gained’t go that far. Frankly, if Worthy had been on some other group, I’m extremely doubtful that he’d get as a lot press as he has. However the Mahomes bump is actual – if he emerges as a go-to goal, we anticipate his rookie card worth to bump.
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Keon Coleman
Very like the Chiefs with Mahomes, so long as the Payments have Josh Allen, they’re a contender. However in contrast to the Chiefs with Mahomes, Allen alone isn’t sufficient to get the group over the hump.
This offseason, the Payments went again to the drafting board, transport out receiving weapons Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. This could open up a fantastic alternative for Florida State wideout Keon Coleman to thrive.
Taken atop the second spherical, Coleman averaged almost a landing per recreation final yr for the Seminoles. His manufacturing slowed a contact after Jordan Travis’ ugly harm; he managed 43 yards in FSU’s final two video games with out Travis after notching 53 within the QBs final wholesome recreation.
The half-empty interpretation suggests he wants QB to present him seems. The glass-half-full interpretation acknowledges that he has exactly that in Josh Allen. It additionally suggests his stats may have been even higher had his QB stayed wholesome. Famously, Coleman was robbed of an opportunity to play within the Nationwide Championship when the CFB committee omitted Florida State regardless of its 13-1 report.
I’m all in on this big-bodied receiver. He’s a breath of contemporary air after years of Diggs’ suspect tweets and moody demeanor. He ought to type an prompt reference to Allen, and that can see his card values spike.
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Brock Bowers (Honorable Point out)
Netflix’s “Receiver” present wasn’t nearly wideouts, neither is this part. We have now to present a shout to the highest tight finish within the draft (and probably the most touted in a couple of years) in Brock Bowers.
Bowers has lots in opposition to him from a amassing standpoint. The Las Vegas Raiders will begin Gardner Minshew at quarterback, which is often an indication that the group will draft a quarterback within the following draft. He’s additionally becoming a member of a crowded tight finish room with sophomore Michael Mayer in tow.
Moreover, there’s minimal early buzz when amassing tight finish playing cards. Not like rookie quarterbacks who see their playing cards collected on hypothesis alone, the tight finish market sometimes emerges after a participant offers followers a motive to gather their card.
That’s to not say there isn’t a marketplace for tight finish playing cards. Quite the opposite, Sam LaPorta, by far one of the best rookie tight finish to come back out of final yr’s draft, has just lately seen low-serial quantity playing cards sell for several hundred dollars.
Don’t anticipate to make a fast flip out of a Bowers rookie card. As an alternative, contemplate this a buy-low-and-hold stable possibility. Be ready to carry for some time, particularly given the Raiders’ quarterback state of affairs.
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Damage Returners
In case you take part in a fantasy soccer public sale, you’ve most likely been there: staring down the value of a no brainer expertise coming off an harm. It makes for a fantastic buy-low alternative.
The identical is true for amassing sports activities playing cards. Whereas we hate accidents, we love comeback tales. The next gamers would possibly make for first rate harm investments earlier than the season kicks off.
Joe Burrow
Let’s begin with considered one of my absolute favourite gamers to observe, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals. His 2023 Panini Status Xtra Factors Premium Gold /75 card was spotlit earlier this yr as an under-the-radar buy. However maybe it’s time to open up the floodgates to the participant’s total assortment.
Already in his brief profession, he’s amassed a Tremendous Bowl look, one other AFC Championship begin, and a Professional Bowl nod. Nevertheless, the previous LSU signal-caller has additionally been beset by tough harm luck; he entered the 2023-24 season unhealthy and was compelled to bow out by Week 10.
Over the past yr, Burrow’s valuation on Card Ladder displays his harm absence. However we’re already seeing some indicators that his inventory is ticking up.
Regardless of a gradual trickle south during the last 12 months, his index is up eight factors during the last calendar month. I totally anticipate Burrow to make a whole restoration (he’s already appeared sharp in restricted preseason motion), as ought to his card values.
A raw Silver Prizm Burrow RC is presently going for round $240, the bottom non-outlier worth since February. Ought to Burrow lead the Bengals to a different stable postseason end, it wouldn’t be stunning to see this card return to the roughly $400 mark it was final January.
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Anthony Richardson
In case you’ve paid a lot consideration to Anthony Richardson’s PSA 10 Silver Prizm RC, you is perhaps scratching your head at his inclusion right here. These playing cards have remained comparatively stagnant price-wise (between $350-$450) since their launch in late 2023. I imagine that marker to be a tad undervalued. Right here’s why: he hasn’t but had the possibility to take off in a tangible method.
Final season, Richardson displayed a legitimately tantalizing mixture of arm energy and improvisation outdoors the pocket. Scouts heralded him as the kind of quarterback a mad scientist cooks up within the lab.
However by October, Richardson’s season had come to a untimely shut because of an AC sprain. By then, most card units launched had been collegiate packs; Panini Prizm, Rated Rookies, Nationwide Treasures all had but to be launched.
By the point these playing cards hit the market, Richardson’s prominence had light on account of his harm and the unbelievable play of fellow rookie C.J. Stroud (for comparability, Stroud’s PSA 10 Silver’s go for almost $900).
I’m excessive on the Colts. They’ve a fantastic head coach and top-of-the-line offensive strains in soccer. Receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. is coming off a 1,000-yard season (his second in three years).
There’s nonetheless room for Richardson’s playing cards to pop. If he hits the bottom operating, I’d anticipate his present values to extend.
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Head Coach Carousel
Eight groups enter the season with a head coach totally different from the one they began the prior season. Sometimes, at the least one first-year head coach ignites a come-from-nowhere resurgence. Final yr, it was DeMeco Ryans and the Texans. In 2022, first-year Vikings skipper Kevin McConnell led the Purple Folks Eaters to a 13-4 report.
It stands to motive that the identical will occur this yr. In that case, a couple of gamers may gain advantage tremendously, which is able to solely enhance their card values.
Justin Herbert
Few have had a profession fairly like Justin Herbert. He entered the league in 2020, essentially the most worthwhile time for football card collectors in latest reminiscence. His rookie playing cards had been a few of the most hyped within the passion (together with his Inexperienced /1 Kaboom! insert). He had a uncommon mixture of educational brilliance and on-field excellence.
4 years later, he’s 30-32 within the common season with a single postseason look. He’s regressed every of the final three seasons in yards and touchdowns. But he’s additionally lower his interceptions in half over that span.
I’m prepared to wager a lot of Herbert’s points had been scheme-based. The Chargers turned a nationwide laughingstock below former head coach Brandon Staley. Jim Harbaugh brings an expert observe report to this group, one that ought to profit Herbert tremendously.
Herbert’s Card Ladder index has cratered during the last yr. His PSA 10 Silver Prizms are barely clinging to the $1,000 mark, the bottom they’ve hit in almost a yr. Maybe that’s out of the value vary, nevertheless it stands to motive that if this card is struggling, different, cheaper choices could be discovered for equally deflated costs.
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Bijan Robinson
I don’t assume Falcons operating again Bijan Robinson presents the identical ceiling as, say, Christian McCaffrey or peak Saquon Barkley, however I firmly imagine we haven’t seen one of the best of the previous Longhorns operating again but.
At Texas, he was force-fed the ball to the tune of 258 carries in 2022, leading to 18 speeding touchdowns. In his rookie season with Atlanta, Robinson noticed his carries shrink to only 218. In some respects, that is to be anticipated once you share a backfield with Tyler Allgeier. It’s additionally honest to assume former head coach Arthur Smith didn’t know the right way to get essentially the most out of his twin-flame backfield.
Raheem Morris, the previous Rams defensive coordinator, is in. He additionally introduced Rams quarterback coach and go recreation coordinator Zac Robinson to run the offense. Robinson is a dyed-in-the-wool Sean McVay acolyte, which ought to bode nicely for getting the Falcons to profit from their proficient offense.
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Corridor of Fame
It’s by no means too early to start out planning for Corridor of Fame bets. Subsequent season’s presumptive inductees embrace loads of star energy, however not a lot buying and selling card worth.
The only exception is perhaps Eli Manning. The previous Giants quarterback is a two-time Tremendous Bowl champion and four-time Professional Bowler. His 2004 Topps Chrome rookie card has been promoting for round $350 in Gem Mint situation, a determine that would quickly bump after his induction.
In case you’re in search of a straightforward flip or wish to get misplaced within the nostalgia of late 2000s/early 2010s soccer, look no additional.
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Get Out Now
Not each card makes for a buy-now candidate. For some, it’s time to start out contemplating strategic sell-offs. Two candidates may match that invoice, relying on how their seasons unfold.
Tyreek Hill
We owe Tyreek Hill fairly a little bit of gratitude. He’s been on the forefront of the huge receiver resurgence, amassed an unbelievable title-laden profession with Patrick Mahomes, and proved everybody incorrect by persevering with his improbable play in Miami.
However the finish comes for us all. I’m not saying that is the season Hill meets the sting of the cliff. Moderately, I imagine his card values are presently artificially inflated based mostly on previous efficiency that will not come once more.
In a passion bemoaning sluggish gross sales and costs, Hills’ Silver Prizm RC in Gem Mint situation is up. At $255, the cardboard hasn’t hit its November 2023 peak, nevertheless it’s not far off. If Hill comes out sluggish, or accidents seem to hamper him as they did final season, it’s onerous to foresee that worth sustaining.
Kyler Murray
For the final yr, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s PSA 10 Silver Prizm RC has been on the rise. And for the lifetime of me, I can’t determine why.
He’s a enjoyable, dynamic participant, for positive. And $375 for a Gem Mint Silver Prizm is definitely comparatively low-cost, particularly in comparison with the likes of Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow.
That being stated, the Playing cards boast a mediocre offensive line, head coach Jonathan Gannon doesn’t encourage essentially the most confidence, and he’s a repeated harm threat. His profession report (28-36-1) reeks. Between his two most up-to-date campaigns, he’s thrown an interception for each two touchdowns. He’s brief, lacks weapons, and averages over eight fumbles a season.
For these causes, I’m out.
The preferred trending soccer playing cards on eBay are tracked under for a number of of the gamers talked about on this season’s information. Whereas a few of the gamers won’t be featured with true rookie playing cards (e.g. Caleb Williams) till merchandise steadily rollout via the course of the season, this checklist will repeatedly replace to incorporate them in real-time as they turn into accessible. Make sure you bookmark this web page or our Hottest Football Cards web page.
Tip: modify the filters under in your desired participant playing cards and search outcomes.
Very like fantasy soccer drafting or sports activities betting, this train is solely speculative. We are able to’t assure which gamers will succeed and which is able to fail (and that may take the enjoyable out of the method).
However we additionally know that not each NFL card collector follows the sport carefully. Or those who do are beholden to a single franchise, with little look after rivals. This information is designed to fill in these gaps, giving collectors a extra full perspective on the place the league stacks up.
Moreover, the choice to put money into any given participant is a strongly private one. In case you’re already leveraged in a given place, maybe you employ this to broaden your choices. Or should you’re new to the passion, this information serves as a stable mixture of fundamentals and superior insights to get you began amassing like a professional.
If there are explicit 2024-25 soccer playing cards or gamers you’re specializing in, tell us within the feedback! On the finish of the season, tell us how we (and also you) did.
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