Ranking the Top NFL Rookie Classes For Card Investors

In the world of sports card investing, rookie classes play a pivotal role in determining long-term value and excitement.

A strong rookie class can ignite a frenzy among collectors, with standout players driving demand for their rookie cards. Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed some truly remarkable NFL rookie classes, packed with game-changing quarterbacks, electrifying wide receivers, and franchise-defining stars.

…And others have fallen flat. 

Not all rookie classes are created equal. While some boast multiple future Hall of Famers, others struggle to produce a single household name.

Card investors know that timing is everything—identifying the best classes to invest in when buying sealed product can lead to significant returns as players develop and cement their legacies.

Let’s rank the top 10 NFL rookie classes for card investors, considering both on-field performance and the market value of their rookie cards.

Whether you’re chasing the excitement of Patrick Mahomes’ record-breaking career, Justin Jefferson’s explosive plays, or the untapped potential of the 2024 class, this list highlights the best investments and what makes these classes special.

Please note: some of these classes have so many good rookies that we didn’t list them all. Be sure to look at a set’s checklist for a full, extensive list of all rookies included. 

The top 10 NFL rookie classes for card investors

1. 2020 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor, CeeDee Lamb and more.

This class has quickly become iconic, with multiple franchise quarterbacks and standout skill players. Their rookie cards remain some of the most sought-after in the hobby.

Classes are simply not supposed to have this many top quarterbacks, but there are five quarterbacks in this class that could be in an MVP discussion, plus perhaps one of the best receivers to ever play that game. 

2. 2018 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Saquon Barkley, and more.

Featuring elite quarterbacks and dynamic offensive talent, this class has proven to be a strong investment. With two quarterbacks that are perennial favorites to win MVP and Baker and Sam Darnold’s recent blossoming, 2018’s draft class is aging like fine wine.

On top of the quarterbacks, we have rockies of Saquon Barkley, who looked like the best running back in the league. 

3. 2017 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Cooper Kupp, and more.

Patrick Mahomes alone elevates this class to near the top, with his rookie cards setting record prices.

McCaffrey is also one of the best running backs in the history of the game, and while his prices don’t come anywhere near that of Mahomes’,  he’s still a great hold. Other stars like Kamara and Kupp solidify the value of this class. 

4. 2024 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, JJ McCarthy, Bucky Irving, Brock Bowers, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and more.

The upside of this class is immense, with several potential franchise quarterbacks and explosive-skill players. While it could rise to #2 as early as next year, it currently lands at #4 until more of their NFL impact is seen.

It looks like a great draft class at quarterback, running back, tight end and receiver, but we’ll wait it out a bit more. 

5. 2023 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Jahmyr Gibbs, and more.

This is where we see a clear divide. Classes 1-4 on this list are exciting, and classes 5 – 10 are more… disappointing. At least thus far. CJ Stroud set the league on fire during his rookie season but took a big step backwards in 2024.

We haven’t given up on him – far from it – but his struggles tarnished the shine of this class. Jahmyr Gibbs has been a huge difference-maker for the Lions and Bryce Young’s young career has seesawed back and forth, while other rookie quarterbacks from this class look unplayable thus far. 

6. 2016 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Jared Goff, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot and more

This class was beginning to lose its appeal, then Jared Goff’s Lions became the most exciting team in the NFL and his cards soared in value and, compared to the other classes surrounding 2016 on the list, this nearly decade-old rookie class is looking pretty good.

Dak Prescott isn’t top-5, but he’s good enough and plays for such a popular franchise that his cards can be quite valuable, too. 

7. 2014 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans, Davante Adams, Derek Carr, and more.

Known for its exceptional wide receiver depth, this class has produced multiple perennial Pro Bowlers. The downside is that the rookies in this class are at the twilight of their careers, largely, and without many quarterbacks of note, there’s not much value to gain. 

8. 2019 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Kyler Murray, DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, and more.

This class features a lot of what-ifs and has largely been disappointing. Murray was the headlining talent and has underwhelmed throughout his career and is wearing out his welcome in Arizona.

There are a few exciting receivers, here, but that’s not enough to raise the value of the class.

9. 2021 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Ja’Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, and more.

Trevor Lawrence’s Golden Boy status has lost it’s luster and the rest of the first round quarterbacks from this class have played their way out of starting roles. Ja’Marr Chase is an elite receiver, but quarterbacks define the value of a class much more than a running back or receiver ever could.

If Lawrence ever figures it out and plays at that top-10 potential he’s always been billed to have, this set could be a big winner in value-gained, but I’m personally not holding any 2021 sealed produc.t 

Rookies include: Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, Joey Bosa, and more.

A balanced class featuring top talent on both offense and defense, though it lacks a transcendent superstar.

10. 2022 Rookie Class

Rookies include: Brock Purdy and more.

Despite Purdy’s standout moments as “Mr. Irrelevant,” his struggles this season and the lack of other major stars place this class at the bottom.

The one redeeming part of this class is that it’s still fairly young, so perhaps some of them can rally and elevate the class on the list. 

Who are you investing in?

What draft class on this list is your favorite? Who did we miss rank or leave off? Let us know on Twitter @card_lines.