Lamar Jackson Rookie Card Market Guide

When Lamar Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016, it was his first milestone in a standout football career. Since his NFL debut, Jackson has maintained his position as a top-rated quarterback and one of the best rushing quarterbacks in the league. After signing a new long-term contract to stay in Baltimore, Jackson will look to continue his already impressive NFL career, as he attempts to lead the Ravens back to the Super Bowl. This guide will touch more on Jackson’s football career while exploring his rookie cards and their current trending market values.

From Heisman Trophy Winner to NFL MVP

After being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Lamar Jackson played as a backup to starting quarterback Joe Flacco. In his first NFL game as a starter, in Week 11 (replacing an injured Flacco), Jackson rushed for 117 yards in a 24-21 win against the Bengals. He set a Ravens franchise record for the most single-game rushing yards by a quarterback and recorded the second-most single-game rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in the NFL since 1970. (Robert Griffin III holds the rookie record at 138.)

Even with limited field time, Jackson finished his rookie season with 1,201 passing yards and six passing touchdowns. In addition, he became the NFL’s quarterback rushing leader with 695 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.

By the 2019 season, Jackson had become the team’s starting quarterback. In Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, he made NFL history, becoming the first player with 120 rushing yards and 250 passing yards in a single game, which the Ravens won 23-17. He continued to break rushing and passing records throughout the season.

By the end of the year, Jackson became the first player in the history of the NFL to achieve 1,500 rushing yards and 3,000 passing yards in his first two seasons. Additionally, he’s the NFL’s only quarterback to achieve 800 rushing yards and at least 2,000 passing yards during the first 11 games of a season.

In another milestone, he became the first NFL quarterback to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in multiple seasons. He was named the NFL MVP and the Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. Since then, Jackson has continued to break records and win acclaim as the one of the NFL’s best and most exciting quarterbacks.

Are Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards Valuable?

Lamar Jackson had a standout rookie year, and not surprisingly, fair market values for his rookie cards reflect his breakaway success with the Ravens. Given his remarkable first season, his rushing prowess and the huge Ravens fan base, prices for many of Jackson's rookie cards, especially the limited-edition runs, remain high.

Investment Potential for Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards

With a quarterback like Jackson, so much of his legacy depends on whether he earns a Super Bowl victory. Given the direction he’s heading in, combined with a multi-talented team, things continue to look good for Jackson and his Ravens. Considering his record-breaking achievements, he may be a Hall of Fame prospect, and these are all factors that can add more investment potential to his cards, especially his rookie issues.

Top Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards

Here’s a look at eight of the most popular Lamar Jackson rookie cards on the market:

• 2018 National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph #165 /99
• 2018 Prizm #212
• 2017 Panini Select XRC Prizm #305 – Gold Parallel
• 2018 Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Autographs #112
• 2018 Donruss Optic Downtown #DT-16
• 2018 Panini Flawless #106
• 2018 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie #167
• 2018 Panini Classics #209

Here’s how recent auction prices are trending for Jackson’s rookie cards, according to market tracking sites like SportsCardsPro, PriceGuide.Cards and Sports Card Investor. These prices are monitored and updated constantly, so prices are subject to change.

Most of these cards have a wide range of Parallel versions. All prices listed below are for the Base version, unless otherwise noted.

2018 National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph #165 Lamar Jackson #’d/99 ($44,067)

Limited to only 99 copies, this holy grail Lamar Jackson rookie card shows an image of the QB poised to throw a pass, flanked by a large game-used patch embedded at the left. Jackson’s bold signature dominates the bottom of the card.

At SportsCardsPro, Ungraded trends for $7,600, Grade 8 for $5,049 and Grade 9 for $6,346. Grade 9.5 trends for $19,437 and Gem Mint 10 has a top-end value that reaches upward of $44,067.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $1,371 and a top price of $10,788. Graded trends at an average price of $9,758 and a top price of $24,988 (grades unspecified).

2018 Panini Prizm #212 Lamar Jackson ($10,500)

What rookie list is complete without a Prizm card? This classic offering features a great action shot of Jackson doing what he does best: rushing with the football. It’s set against a steel-gray background with gray and black borders, with the “RC” label at the top left and the silver Prizm logo at the top right. As is always the case with Prizm cards, there is a wide range of Parallels available, including some pricier limited editions and a stunning Stained-Glass version.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $110 and a top price of $3,271. Graded trends at an average price of $506 and a top price of $10,500 (grades unspecified).

Sports Card Investor shows trending prices starting at $39 with a top price of $3,499 (grades unspecified).

At SportsCardsPro, Ungraded trends at $30, Grade 7 at $23, Grade 8 at $29 and Grade 9 at $43. Grade 9.5 trends at $127 and Gem Mint 10 at $245. For the Stained Glass version, Ungraded trends at $310, Grade 9 at $500 and Gem Mint 10 at $1,487.

2017 Panini Select XRC Prizm #305 Lamar Jackson – Gold Parallel ($10,000)

This gem shows an image of Jackson rushing with the ball, set against a vibrant gold and cobalt blue background with the “Select” logo at the top. This card was produced in multiple Parallels, including a popular Redemption version.

At PriceGuide.Cards, Ungraded trends at an average price of $776 and a top price of $2,475. Graded trends at an average price of $7,107 and a top price of $10,000 (grades unspecified).

At Sports Card Investor, the Redemption version trends at a low price of $549 and a top price of $5,999 (grades unspecified).

2018 Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Autographs #112 Lamar Jackson ($4,999)

This fan-favorite Jackson rookie card, considered one of the hottest football cards on the market, shows the QB scrambling with the ball. On the right is the popular Rookie Ticket graphic, which replicates a championship ticket. The entire bottom area is covered with Jackson’s bold autograph.

PriceGuide.Cards show Ungraded trending at an average price of $710 and a top price of $2,974. Graded trends at an average price of $1,519 and a top price of $4,999 (grades unspecified).

At SportsCardsPro, Grade 8 trends at $439, Grade 9 at $1,200, Grade 9.5 at $1,443 and Gem Mint 10 at $4,000.

2018 Donruss Optic Downtown #DT-16 Lamar Jackson ($3,500)

Donruss Optic Downtown cards are always fun to collect, and this Lamar Jackson version doesn’t disappoint. It features a vivid image of Jackson getting ready to pass, surrounded by iconic Baltimore imagery. A bust of Edgar Allan Poe dominates the foreground, complete with a raven on his head and backed by a fanciful illustration of the downtown skyline.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $328 and a top price of $2,499. Graded trends at an average price of $992 and a top price of $3,500 (grades unspecified).

Sports Card Investor shows trending prices starting at $200, with a top price of $1,000 (grades unspecified).

2018 Panini Flawless #106 Lamar Jackson #’d/20 ($1,559)

The Panini Flawless series always provides a luxury look (at a luxury price), and this Jackson rookie card features the QB during his college days in Louisville. It portrays an image of Jackson poised to throw the ball, set against a silvery white backdrop.

The top features the “Flawless” logo, while the bottom is reserved for what makes this card a pricier proposition — a gemstone embedded into the card. Multiple Parallel versions offer a variety of gemstones, as well as patches and autographs, with this example having only 20 copies created.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $280 with a top price of $1,559. Graded trends at an average price of $772 and a top price of $1,095 (grades unspecified).

2018 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie #167 Lamar Jackson ($1,300)

This perennial Donruss Optic series contains another favorite that shows a great shot of Jackson poised to throw the football, set against a brilliant blue sky and featured on glossy Optichrome cardstock. Graphics include blue and silver-gray framing with a silver border, and as always, the “Rated Rookie” logo at the upper left. Parallel versions include Red, Purple and a Gold version that’s especially in demand.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $57 and a top price of $1,300. Graded trends at an average price of $184 and a top price of $950 (grades unspecified).

At SportsCardsPro, Graded trends for $45, Grade 8 for $26 and Grade 9 for $52. Grade 9.5 trends for $74 and Gem Mint 10 for $119.

2018 Panini Classics #209 ($300)

For those who love retro-style cards (and prefer not to spend thousands of dollars), this card is the perfect addition to a starter rookie collection. This retro-vibe classic shows a striking gameplay image of Jackson at his best, rushing the football down the field. It’s set against an old-school stadium shot of Jackson in a game in college and features a yellow “Rookies” pennant and name/logo banners in bright orange. It's available in several variations, as well as an autographed version.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $12 and a top price of $300. Graded trends at an average price of $66 and a top price of $300 (grades unspecified).

At SportsCardsPro, Ungraded trends at $8.50, Grade 8 at $9.50 and Grade 9 at $17.50. Grade 9.5 trends at $40 and Gem Mint 10 at $45.

Where Can I Find Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards?

You can find Lamar Jackson rookie cards and memorabilia at sports card retailers, sports card shows and online auctions. Here’s a list of auction sites that specialize in sports memorabilia:

• eBay
• Invaluable
• Lelands
• Heritage Auctions
• Memory Lane
• EBTH
• Sotheby's
• Christie's
• SCP Auctions
• Goldin
• PWCC
• Pristine Auction

Leading sports memorabilia shows are held year-round across the country. To find a show coming to your area, you can do a quick Google search or check with collectors’ forums and social media sites.

How Are Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards Graded?

Certified professionals use a special numeric system to grade sports cards according to their condition. This system, which ranges from Ungraded to Perfect 10, is universally recognized by dealers, appraisers and collectors throughout the sports card industry. Here’s how it works:

Perfect 10: The top of the line, Perfect 10 cards are Gem Mint across the four major grading criteria: surface, corners, edges and centering. These cards are free of production flaws and have no condition issues, even when they’re viewed under 10x magnification.

Gem Mint: Perfect, with sharp edges, no fading and no condition damage or manufacturing flaws.

Grade 9.5: Near Mint, with a minor flaw.

Grade 9: Excellent, with a few minor issues.

Grades 8 and below: These cards are graded lower due to condition damage and/or manufacturing flaws.

Ungraded: Never been graded.

Raw: New to the market and just removed from their original packages.

Sports card prices and values are determined according to condition, rarity and collector demand. Collector demand, however, is an unknown quantity, and what’s popular one season may lose its collector appeal a year later. Likewise, online bidding wars can also cause prices to spike. And while a rare, Gem Mint card may seem desirable, it may sell for far less than a more common, lesser-grade card that everyone is clamoring for.

Generally speaking, the greater an athlete is, the more demand there is for their cards and memorabilia, especially their rookie cards. But as a collector, it’s always best to buy what you like and try to get the highest quality you can afford.

Should I Get My Sports Cards Graded?

By getting your sports cards professionally graded, you can enhance the quality of your collection. Grading provides authenticity to your cards and gives them a quality rating that is recognized throughout the sports card industry.

During grading, a certified professional will determine the authenticity and condition of each card according to established grading criteria. Once your card is graded, its information is entered into an international database, so there’s a permanent record of your card and your collection.

Graded cards often sell for higher prices than Ungraded cards and tend to be easier to sell. With grading, you can take pride in owning a fully authenticated, professionally graded collection that will be recognized for its quality for generations to come. For further information on CSG's 10-point Grading Scale and to find out more about our industry-leading services, visit CSGcards.com.

*Any mention of "investment potential" is for entertainment only and should not be construed as investment advice. The Certified Collectibles Group does not provide investment advice and is not liable for any buy, sell or trade decisions made by any parties.