Dalvin Cook is not human. In the last 2 games, he has 369 rushing yards and 5 TDs. He has also caught 4 for 109 and another TD. Almost 500 scrimmage yards in 2 weeks, those are video game numbers. We will see Cook on this week's hot list, but you're probably going to be surprised by what you see.
This is the time of the season you want to start focusing your card portfolio on players that will likely be in the playoffs. Cards tend to rise to new heights as every week of playoffs goes by with people speculating on which team will win the Super Bowl. Card prices spike when players go off in the playoffs because there are so many eyes on those games.
BUT, once that team loses, value and interest drops off. Then around July August interest peaks, and prices start to rise again in anticipation of the new season. That's the cycle of the NFL card market.
Reminder: We love StarStock.com’s vault of over 300,000 cards. If you want just one resource for options, purchasing, and organization, they’re the site to check out. Images and stock prices courtesy StarStock.
Who's Hot?
Kyler Murray
2019 Prizm
Did you know Kyler Murray has been a top 10 fantasy QB every week this year? Despite that, his cards saw a big dip in October. After another string of solid games, including that amazing game on SNF vs the Seahawks, his prices are on the rise again.
If he can get the Cardinals to the playoffs and win a game or two? Where his prices are right now will seem like a steal. If you believe in Kyler, now would be a good time to buy him.
Dalvin Cook
2018 Donruss
What a fall from grace Dalvin Cook took when he got hurt. From $15 to as low as $2.50. When he's healthy he's one of the best RB's in the game, the problem is people seem to be scared off because of injury history. You see what the ceiling can be. After he plays the Bears this week, his next 3 opponents are the Cowboys, the Panthers, and the Jaguars, he could have more big games in the not so distant future. If he can stay healthy, his prices will continue to tick up.
In the long term, if he can go a whole year injury-free, he'll be one of the highest valued RB's on the market again.
DK Metcalf
2019 Prizm
Metcalf is by far the biggest standout at wide receiver this year. Putting up huge games almost on a weekly basis, then there was the game with the Cardinals where Metcalf ran down Budda Baker on the interception return. Metcalf earned my respect on that play.
If Metcalf can carry the momentum into the playoffs and keep up the level of production, this won't be the last time you see him on the hot list this season.
Buy Low Candidates
Zack Moss
2020 Donruss Optic Preview
It looks like Moss is becoming the lead back, getting 9 carries on Sunday to Devin Singletary’s 2. Granted, Moss only turned that into 18 yards, but he did get in the end zone. Devin Singletary only had 1 yard.
I like the Bills chances of getting to the playoffs this year, currently sitting at 8-2, and atop the AFC East. If Moss can get into the endzone a few times in a playoff win, odds are his stuff will rise.
I really like these Optic Preview cards that were released in Donruss this year. If you're not a Moss fan, picking some up of a player you are a fan of wouldn't be a bad idea.
A.J. Brown
2019 Prizm
He's had at least 1 TD every week since returning from his knee injury and then the bye. These cards can be had for around $15 on StarStock, and even cheaper on eBay. They sold as high as $35, 2 months ago on StarStock. If the Titans can make a deep playoff run and A.J. Brown does A.J. Brown things, these will see those highs again.
Ryan Tannehill
2012 Topps Chrome
There's nothing better than having a QB on a playoff team. Especially one that made a deep run last year, and is still relatively cheap. The hobby still isn't giving Tannehill his proper respect, in my opinion.
I don't normally like to put 2 cards of players on the same team on the buy low list, but both Brown and Tannehill just seem very cheap to me right now. You can pick these up for under $10 each.
BALLING ON A BUDGET
Nelson Agholor
2015 Prizm
As a Raiders fan, I scoffed when I got the alert that the Raiders signed Nelson Agholor. I live in PA so I've been watching balls bounce off of Agholor for years. But I've been pleasantly surprised by how Agholor has been playing this year. He's pretty much been the #1 WR on the raiders this year.
His Prizm cards can be had for around $1. If the Raiders can secure a playoff spot those likely won't be $1 for long.
NEW PRODUCT RELEASES
2020 Panini Flawless Collegiate
10 cards per pack, 1 pack per box. Each box has 6 Autographs, 2 Memorabilia Cards, 2 Gem Cards. Boxes cost around $1,700.
Flawless is Panini's ultra high-end product. Some of the patches in this product are genuinely mind-blowing. At $170 per card, this is a product I do not recommend. Collegiate Autographs sell for a fraction of what the cards do of players in their pro uniform. If you want to really gamble, wait for the NFL version of Flawless to come out.
2020 Panini Illusions
5 cards per pack, 10 packs per box. Each box has 1 Encased Autograph and 2 Additional Autographs, 2 Memorabilia Cards, 5 Parallels, and 10 Acetate Insert / Parallels. Boxes cost around $375.
Illusions is kind of a cool set where current stars share a card with legends from the same Franchise. At the price it is currently, you need to avoid it like the plague. This is a set that's forgotten once the new set comes out. I wouldn't even recommend buying into case breaks of this stuff, too be honest with you. This is a product that should cost $150, MAX.
If you are interested in learning about cards, reach out in Discord. I'm there to answer any questions you may have about the hobby.
