2011 Football Rookie Cards: Very Early Preview

Even though the 2011 NFL Draft isn't until the end of the month, the NFL season may be delayed or canceled because of a labor dispute, and this year's football card sets are still months away from being released, it is not too early to start assessing the potential values of rookie cards of the 2011 NFL rookie class. Even though the Draft lacks a "can't miss" superstar prospect, collectors will no doubt be chasing cards of a player or two before all is said and done and before these new rookies can even make an impact for their pro teams.

As always in card collecting circles, quarterbacks will be key. Although this year's rookie crop doesn't have a polished talent like John Elway, Michael Vick, or Peyton Manning, there are a number of soon to be rookie quarterbacks that have the potential to become stars. First and foremost is Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of the Auburn Tigers. While many feel that he will be drafted by either the Carolina Panthers at number one overall or the Buffalo Bills at three, most feel that he will be a big gamble. One thing for certain is that the sky is the limit for Newton. A physically gifted leader in college, many nevertheless compare him to Vince Young. Initially, at least, I expect his Cam Newton rookie cards to sell like Tim Tebow rookie cards sold last year. That is to say that he will be the most popular rookie with collectors this coming offseason and his cards should be the most valuable rookie cards on the market before anything is proven. In the intermediate, he could be anything from Aaron Rodgers to Alex Smith. And long-term he could be anything from Steve Young to Charlie Ward.

Second on most pre-draft quarterback lists is Blaine Gabbert of Missouri. Climbing up draft boards since the college football season ended, many feel that Gabbert will be taken in the top five despite not having top five talent. As with all quarterbacks, he is a gable for both pro teams and collectors. Hope is that his development comes along like that of Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan. Gabbert rookie cards will not be as popular with collectors as Sam Bradford rookie cards were last year but he shouldn't be as much of an afterthought as Josh Freeman was in 2009.

The third quarterback that most feel will definitely be a first rounder is Jake Locker of the Washington Huskies. Though draftniks felt that he was a potential top pick last year, he decided to go back to school for one more year and his draft status may have suffered. Nevertheless, he will be eager to prove himself in the NFL this year and many teams will be willing to take the gamble on his big arm. Though those Brett Favre comparisons will get some collectors salivating, a more reasonable initial comparison (as far as popularity of his rookie cards go) is Matt Leinart.

There are a number of other quarterbacks that may go in one of the first couple of rounds that collectors will probably put on the level of someone like Jimmy Clausen until they are able to do something in the pros. Deep prospect hunters who feel that they have an eye for talent should watch out for Ryan Mallett of Arkansas, Christian Ponder of Florida State, Andy Dalton of TCU, and Colin Kaepernick of Nevada. You never know if one of these guys will be the next Drew Brees.

The running back crop this year will probably pale in comparison as far as preseason hype to last year's rookie class which featured burners C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills and Jahvid Best of the Detroit Lions. As a matter of fact, there is only one running back that most consider a true first rounder, 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram of Alabama. Though some have said he is the next Emmitt Smith, he will probably be as popular as the team that drafts him. If he goes to the Dallas Cowboys, card collectors will swoon, if he goes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ingram rookie cards may be an afterthought until he tears up the league.

As far as pass catchers go, there are two wide receivers that collectors will want to take notice of this year. A.J. Green of Georgia and Julio Jones of Alabama. Both will probably be as popular with collectors as Dez Bryant was last year. Maybe if things fall right, one can reach the hype Calvin Johnson got with collectors when he was drafted a few years back. Both receivers should be drafted in the top 15 or so, one may go in the top 5.

Though offensive players are generally who card collectors take interest in, it seems that every year there is a defensive player that collectors definitely will not want to ignore. Last year it was Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions, and he didn't disappoint. The defensive players with the most hype going into the 2011 Draft are linemen Marcell Dareus of Alabama, Robert Quinn of North Carolina, Nick Fairley of Auburn, and Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson, DBs Patrick Peterson of LSU and Prince Amukamara of Nebraska, and linebacker Von Miller of Texas A&M. One thing is for certain, these players will have to get tons of sacks or interception/touchdowns if they want to have any long term collecting value.

With this short guide you should be all set to blow some money on some unproven commodities when the 2011 football card sets are released this summer or maybe you want to save your money for Andrew Luck rookie cards in 2012.