Najee Harris Rookie Card Market Guide

Considered to be one of the best running backs in the country during his collegiate football career at Alabama, Najee Harris has quickly transitioned from a college phenom to an NFL star. His remarkable stats in rushing yards and touchdowns have made him one of the NFL’s most promising and popular players. So, how does his early success in the league translate to his rookie cards and their values? This guide will take a closer look at Harris and his career, while also analyzing his cards and their trending values.

Breaking Records for the Crimson Tide

In 2015, Harris committed to playing with the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide, after finishing a high school football career that made him one of the nation's top prospects. He stayed with the team through his senior year, finishing as Bama’s all-time leader in touchdowns (57) and rushing yards (3,843). During his time in Tuscaloosa, Harris won two College Football Playoff national championships, was a unanimous All-American and won the Doak Walker Award, which honors the top running back in the nation each season.

From Draft Prospect to Rookie Rushing Star

In 2021, Harris was chosen as a first-round draft pick (and the first running back selected in the 2021 NFL Draft) by the Pittsburgh Steelers. During Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he tied an NFL record for most single-game receptions for a rookie running back. He became the Steelers’ first rookie since Franco Harris (in 1972) to score rushing touchdowns and gain 100 rushing yards in his first five games. He achieved a career-best 188 rushing yards, plus a game-winning touchdown, in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns (26-14).

By the end of his rookie season, Harris recorded 1,200 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, plus 74 receptions (for 467 yards) and three touchdowns. He finished as the NFL season leader (among running backs) in receptions and touches (381, with zero fumbles). As a result, he was selected for the NFL All-Rookie Team, and was chosen as an alternate for the 2022 Pro Bowl.

In 2022, the Steelers struggled as the franchise went into rebuild mode after the retirement of longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. However, hopes are high that Harris will continue to fulfill the promise and potential of his breakout rookie season, while also leading Pittsburgh back to their perennial playoff contender status.

Are Najee Harris Rookie Cards Valuable?

With an impressive rookie year behind him, Najee Harris has garnered widespread collector interest and multitudes of fans. In addition, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the NFL’s most popular and historic teams, with a huge and dedicated fan base. These fans continue to keep prices high for Harris’ cards, especially his rookie cards and limited-edition issues.

Najee Harris Rookie Cards Investment Potential

If Najee Harris can fulfill the potential shown during his rookie year, he may have a Super Bowl ring in his future, and this can be a prime factor in potential sports card values. Likewise, if he continues to generate his current level of fan interest, then fair market values for his cards should remain at healthy prices.

Top Najee Harris Rookie Cards

Here are eight of the top Najee Harris rookie cards:

• 2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom #K50
• 2021 Donruss Optics Downtown #20
• 2021 Panini Certified Freshman Fabric Mirror Signatures #213 - #’d/249
• 2021 Panini Prizm #343
• 2021 Panini Black #209
• 2021 Mosaic #252
• 2021 National Treasures Rookie Patch Autographs #168 - #’d/99
• 2021 Panini Contenders #109

Here's a look at how these Najee Harris rookie cards are trending on market tracking sites like PriceGuide.Cards, SportsCardsPro and Sports Card Investor. These sites update regularly, so prices may change daily and at any time.

2021 Panini Absolute Kaboom #K50 Najee Harris ($3,999)

Always a favorite with collectors, this vibrant card shows an action shot of Harris running with the ball, set against a highly reflective background. The iconic “Kaboom!” logo is featured at the top, with an “RC” logo in the top right corner.

Sports Card Investor shows prices trending from $349 to a top price of $3,999 (grades unspecified).

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded at an average price of $405, and a top price of $2,012. Graded trends at an average price of $807, and a top price of $3,750 (grades unspecified).

At SportsCardsPro, Ungraded trends at $349, Grade 8 at $280 and Grade 9 at $286. Grade 9.5 trends at $600, and Gem Mint 10 at $1,020.

2021 Donruss Optics Downtown #20 Najee Harris ($2,050)

Coated in glossy Optichrome, this Downtown insert card features a vivid illustration of Harris doing what he does best, catching the ball. It is set against an artist’s rendering of the Pittsburgh skyline, with a backdrop of shimmering geometrics. This card comes in a variety of vibrant limited-edition parallels, including Gold and Black Pandora.

At PriceGuide.Cards, Ungraded trends at an average price of $201, and a top price of $330. An Ungraded Gold Parallel trends at an average price of $1,325, and a top price of $2,050.

SportsCardsPro shows Ungraded trending at $255, Grade 8 at $230 and Grade 9 at $380. Grade 9.5 trends at $700, and Gem Mint at $965.

2021 Panini Certified Freshman Fabric Mirror Signatures #213 Najee Harris #’d/249 ($2,000)

Panini’s Certified series includes a wide variety of patches and autographs to choose from, and this Freshman Fabric card is a fan favorite. It shows an action shot of Harris running with the ball, with two-thirds of the card taken up by a large, embedded game-used patch, with Harris’ autograph below. The card features elegant pink-and-gold graphics, with the Certified logo in pink at the top right corner.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $230, and a top price of $2,000. Graded trends at an average of $90, with a top price of $100 (grades unspecified).

2021 Panini Prizm #343 Najee Harris ($634)

Stunning graphics, kaleidoscopic colors, glossy textures and exciting action photography are the reasons why Prizm cards always make the top rookie card lists, and this Najee Harris example doesn’t disappoint. It shows a vibrant image of Harris running with the ball, set against a multitude of highly reflective colorful backgrounds, including several rare limited-edition issues.

PriceGuide.Cards shows the Ungraded Base card trending at an average price of $14, and a top price of $180. Gold Ungraded, which is limited to only 10 copies, trends at an average of $47, and a top price of $108. The Black/White Checker Parallel in Ungraded trends at an average of $215, and a top price of $634.

At Sports Card Investor, Stained Glass trends at a low of $375, and a top price of $450 (grades unspecified).

SportsCardsPro shows the Ungraded Base card trending at around $1, Grade 7 at $1.25, Grade 8 at $5 and Grade 9 at $15. Grade 9.5 trends at $23, and Gem Mint at $38.

2021 Panini Black #209 Najee Harris ($500)

This top pick was issued as part of a high-end set that includes a large number of autographed cards, plus multiple rare, low-edition parallels. The Base card shows an action shot of Harris running with the ball, flanked by a large, embedded game-used patch with an autograph below. Parallels to look for include Gold and Neon Black Light.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $50, and a top price of $205.

SportsCardsPro shows Ungraded trending at $68, Grade 8 at $62 and Grade 9 at $103. Grade 9.5 trends at $190, and Gem Mint at $253. Gold Ungraded trends at $500, and Neon Black Light trends at $268.

2021 Mosaic #252 Najee Harris ($449)

This Mosaic issue is interesting for collectors because it shows an unusual profile shot of Harris running with the ball. Graphics include a color-popping reflective background, with the “NFL Debut” banner in gold below. This card came in a variety of colorful parallels, with Genesis and Black Gold being two of the most popular.

At Sports Card Investor, Genesis trends at a low of $299, and a top price of $449 (grades unspecified).

PriceGuide.Cards shows the Ungraded Base card trending at an average price of $4, and a top price of $125. Black Gold Ungraded trends at an average price of $313, and a top price of $326.

2021 National Treasure Rookie Patch Autographs #168 Najee Harris #’d/99 ($410)

These National Treasure cards give collectors and investors a best-of-both-worlds option, with good-sized game-used patches accompanied by hand-signed autographs. This version shows an image of Harris standing with the ball, and features a large, embedded game patch on the right, accompanied by a signature below.

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $158, with a top price of $430. Graded trends at an average and top price of $410.

2021 Panini Contenders Draft Picks College Ticket #109 ($400)

A highly collectible card from his pre-rookie career, this gem shows an image of Harris running with the ball, set against a geometric kaleidoscope of colors. The “College Ticket” banner at the bottom is topped off by a bold signature. This attractive card is available in a wide variety of variants, including a Gold edition limited to just 10 copies.

At Sports Card Investor, prices trend from $90 to a top price of $400 (grades unspecified).

PriceGuide.Cards shows Ungraded trending at an average price of $92, and a top price of $257. Graded trends at an average and top price of $60. Gold Ungraded trends at an average price of $182, and a top price of $275. Graded trends at an average price of $168, and a top price of $224 (grades unspecified).

SportsCardsPro shows Ungraded trending at $57.

Where Can I Find Najee Harris Rookie Cards?

You can find Najee Harris rookie cards, as well as sports cards and memorabilia for all your favorite players, at sports card retailers and online auctions. Here’s a list of some of the most popular auction sites for sports collectibles:

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

You can also find Najee Harris rookie cards at sports card and memorabilia shows, held year-round throughout the country. By searching Google and checking collector forums and social media sites, you can find out about future shows coming to your area.

How Are Najee Harris Rookie Cards Graded?

By using a specialized numeric system ranging from Ungraded to Perfect 10, sports card appraisers grade cards according to their condition issues. This system is used and recognized throughout the sports card industry, and is regarded as a way of identifying a card’s quality. Here’s how it works:

Perfect 10: These cards are perfect in every way, with Gem Mint scores in all four grading criteria: centering, surface, corners and edges. Even under 10x magnification, Perfect 10 cards are immaculate.

Gem Mint: A perfect card, with no condition or manufacturing issues. Gem Mint cards have bright colors with no fading, and no condition issues or production flaws.

Grade 9.5: Near Mint, with only a single minor flaw.

Grade 9: Excellent across all grading criteria, with only a couple of minor flaws.

Grades 8 and below: These lesser-grade cards have numerous condition issues, wear-related damage and/or manufacturing flaws, and are priced accordingly.

Ungraded: These cards have never been graded or certified.

Raw: Raw cards are newly released to the market, and have just been removed from their original packaging.

Sports card values are determined by three primary factors: condition, rarity and collector demand. And while condition and rarity can be easily assessed by an expert, collector demand is an unknown quantity that can change at any moment. A rare, Gem Mint card can sell for far less than a more common card with a lower grade, if the lower-grade card happens to be more popular with collectors.

In addition, online auctions can cause prices to skyrocket, especially if there’s a bidding war for a certain card. Likewise, if a retired player makes a comeback in a popular media venue, renewed interest in that player can also cause prices to go higher.

Ultimately, it’s best to collect the cards that you really like, and to buy the best condition that you can, according to your budget.

Should I Get My Sports Cards Graded?

Professional grading can give your sports cards an established quality that’s recognized by everyone in the hobby. Plus, grading authenticates your cards, so everyone will know that they’re genuine.

During the grading process, a certified appraiser will examine your cards, looking for any wear, condition damage or manufacturing flaws. Your cards will be given a grade that corresponds with their condition, and this information will be entered into an international database as a permanent record of your collection.

Graded cards tend to sell more quickly, and often for higher prices, than Ungraded cards. And even if you don’t plan on selling your cards, grading enables you to have a collection with an established quality and authenticity that will be recognized 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.