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Top 10 NFL Draft Class 2022’s Best Football Rookie Cards to Buy 2023
As always with rookie classes, there are stars and duds. The 2022 NFL draft class was no different than other classes in that there were some clear future stars and some that will fall by the wayside. This is part 1 of this 2 part 2023 sports card review. Here we look at the 2022 NFL Draft Class’ best football rookie cards to buy 2023.
Stock Up On Top Football Rookie Cards Early in 2023
With the NFL offseason drawing closer. Those studs from the previous year’s draft have had their time in the spotlight, and now is the time to get their cards at the best price possible before next season. Here are the top football rookie cards from the NFL draft class you should be trying to buy in bulk.
Brock Purdy
[best football rookie cards 2023]
So much for Mr. Irrelevant. Brock Purdy was the last pick in the draft, thus being dubbed with the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant.” With second year quarterback Trey Lance and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo dealing with injuries, the 49ers were forced to put in Purdy and boy has he performed.
Purdy’s cards are overpriced right now as people are desperately trying to get his cards all at once, but if you can get one at a decent price, it’s worth keeping an eye out. Especially since the 49ers now have a very hard decision to make going into the offseason as far as who will be behind center for the 2023-24 season.
Iowa State College Stats & Career Summary
Brock Purdy played for Iowa State from 2017-2021 and known for his ability to make big plays and lead his team to victories. Here are his career stats at Iowa State:
Passing:
- Completions: 993
- Attempts: 1,467
- Completion Percentage: 67.7
- Passing Yards: 12,170
- Touchdowns: 81
- Interceptions: 25
Rushing:
- Attempts: 365
- Rushing Yards: 1,177
- Touchdowns: 19
He holds several records at Iowa State including most career touchdown passes and most career total touchdowns. He also led Iowa State to its first ever Fiesta Bowl win in 2019 and was named the MVP of the game. Purdey was the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was drafted in Round 7 of the 2022 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
Honors and Awards
- Big 12 Sportsman of the Year (2022)
- First Team All-Big 12 – Coaches (2020); AP (2021)
- Second Team All-Big 12 – Coaches (2019, 2021)
- Second Team Senior Class Award All-American (2021)
- PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP (2020)
- Second Team Academic All-American – CoSIDA (2020, 2021)
- First Team Academic All-District – CoSIDA (2020, 2021)
- Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist (2019, 2020)
- Manning Award Semifinalist (2020)
- First Team Academic All-Big 12 (2019, 2020, 2021)
- HM All-Big 12 – Coaches (2018)
- Big 12 True Freshman of the Year – ESPN (2018)
- Dury Moss Outstanding Newcomer Award (2018)
- Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team (2018)
Kenny Pickett
[best football rookie cards 2023]
Although he didn’t have the year many were expecting, Kenny Pickett has the potential to be the Steelers franchise quarterback. He began the year backing up Mitchell Trubisky, but ended up getting the starting nod early in the season.
In sports cards, the name of the game is quarterbacks. So although there isn’t likely going to be an immediate payoff, get your hands on some of his cards while you can before the prices potentially shoot up. Low risk, high reward.
Pittsburgh Panthers College Stats & Career Summary
Kenneth “Kenny” Pickett is a college football quarterback who played for the Pittsburgh Panthers from 2017-2021. Here are his career stats:
Passing:
- Completions: 1045
- Attempts: 1674
- Completion Percentage: 62.4
- Passing Yards: 12,303
- Touchdowns: 81
- Interceptions: 32
Rushing:
- Attempts: 416
- Rushing Yards: 809
- Touchdowns: 20
Pickett placed third for the 2021 Heisman award and went onto to be drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Honors and Awards
Dameon Pierce
[best football rookie cards 2023]
Dameon Pierce was expected to be one of the top running backs going into the season and the predictions were correct. Although he only found the endzone four times – which can largely be blamed on the Texans’ inability to generate offense in general – Pierce still managed to have just under 1,000 rushing yards on the year.
Not too bad for someone in the league’s worst offense.
Florida Gators College Stats & Career Summary
Dameon Pierce is a running back who played for the Florida Gators from 2018-2020. During his college career, he was known for his versatility and ability to make big plays. Here are his career stats at Florida:
Rushing:
- Attempts: 329
- Rushing yards: 1,805
- Touchdowns: 23
Receiving:
- Receptions: 45
- Receiving yards: 422
- Touchdowns: 5
Pierce declared for the 2021 NFL Draft and was selected in the fourth round by the Houston Texans.
Garrett Wilson
[best football rookie cards 2023]
Who would’ve thought a Jets player would have made this list? You’ll be even more surprised to know he’s not the only one in our top 10, but no spoilers. Garrett Wilson is one of many talented receivers to come out of the 2022 NFL draft class. With his speed off the line and deep threat capabilities, he is an ideal addition to a struggling Jets team. Garrett Wilson is one of the BEST football rookie cards to buy 2023.
Similar to the woes of the Atlanta Falcons with Drake London, the Jets desperately need to find a quarterback capable of taking their air attack to the next level with the help of their future star receiver.
Ohio State College Stats & Career Summary
Garrett Wilson is a wide receiver who played for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2019-2021. During his college career, he was a productive receiver for the Buckeyes and known for his ability to make catches in key moments. Here are his career stats at Ohio State:
Receiving:
- Receptions: 143
- Receiving yards: 2,213
- Touchdowns: 23
Rushing:
- Attempts: 6
- Rushing yards: 143
- Touchdowns: 1
He was also a valuable contributor on special teams, with a few punt returns and kickoffs returns in his college career. Wilson displays moments of brilliance on the gridiron. After his junior year, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft and was selected in the tenth overall in the first round by the New York Jets.
Chris Olave
[best football rookie cards 2023]
With Michael Thomas battling an injury, it was up to rookie Chris Olave to be the security blanket the Saints needed in the passing game. Olave had over 1,000 receiving yards in his inaugural season. He failed to find the endzone on a consistent basis, but that will change when the Saints have more consistency under center.
Ohio State College Stats & Career Summary
Chris Olave is a wide receiver who played for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 2018-2021. During his college career, he was a productive receiver for the Buckeyes and was known for his deep-ball ability. Here are his career stats at Ohio State:
Receiving:
- Receptions: 175
- Receiving yards: 2,702
- Touchdowns: 35
He was also a key contributor in special teams, including a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2019. Olave was selected in the first round, eleventh overall, by the New Orlean Saints and led the team in receiving yards for 2022.
This ends our first edition of this best football rookie cards to buy 2023 blog. Watch for our top football rookie cards to buy 2023 part II sports card investor tips blog coming soon.
Now that you know what the top football rookie cards to buy and invest in for 2023 are click over to our sports card auction price analysis tool and find your rookie card deal!
Written by Chris Keeley, Baseball-Trading-Cards.com Freelance Staff Writer
