I put a lot of money into Mahomes during the offseason, as it was clear that he had the potential tools do some awesome things this year. In my previous prospecting expeditions (if you could call them that), I had been relatively unsuccessful, especially with Derek Carr and a cavalcade of Vikings QBs that havent worked out. Thankfully, this one has worked out and then some.
Right now, Mahomes prices are literally fucking bananas, and that shouldnt come as a surprise when you think about how much they were already selling for last year. Check them out:
2017 Contenders Patrick Mahomes RC Ticket Auto PSA 10
2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes Auto Patch /99 PSA 10
Funny enough, I seem to have latched onto what drives the hobby just like thousands of other collectors and I really dont feel like this is as good of a thing as people might think. Its good because 2017 products will go nuts, similar to what happened in 2016 with Dak, Wentz and Zeke, now Goff and others too. Its a challenge because its clear that only certain things in football have lasting values, and that’s not good.
That means for the multitude of non-QB autos that are the box hits in just about 99% of the product out there, there wont be much sustained potential in increasing value. Its unfortunate, because guys like Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt, who should benefit from Mahomes tearing it up, wont benefit much, if anything long term.
Collectors only chase QBs, and though there have already been some incredible things happening, guys like Goff, Cousins and even Fitzpatrick to a surprising degree are the only ones that are blasting off.
Its worth noting that I am NOT complaining about these guys having huge values attached to them – that is awesome and great to see. Im complaining that its perpetuating this notion that WRs, RBs, and everyone else are worthless by comparison in a long term situation.
I have harped on this situation for a long time, mainly because its become such a secondary market shit show outside of the Panini legacy sets that drive QB prices through the roof. Trying to find a Mahomes Contenders right now or a Mahomes Treasures RPA right now would likely be among the hardest things to do at any reasonable price.
As much as the mania is taking hold, I just wish that the other players would catch as much fire as they deserve to. As mentioned before, its just one of those things where career longevity and HOF potential is so slim, that its hard to justify. Then again, when this hobby is just meant to be fun and not an investment, maybe that’s where the answer lies.
Totally agree with you. Your blog represents what little honesty is left in this hobby.
If like your last words on Patrick Mahoney was true, then people wouldn’t be paying hundreds of dollars for a Patrick Mahoney auto rookie card. This hobby is not anymore meant to be fun. It’s all about buying certain cards low and then hopefully later on reselling them to somebody else and turning a profit. That’s why in football for the most part you’ll never find a lineman so rookue auto card worth anything. Unless you are a psychotic fan of the team you don’t care anything about an auto card or a jersey card or a rookie card of linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, you name it. Some receivers and running backs start out hot and then flame out. Usually that’s the reason why qbs cards are the only ones worth anything because they seem to stay longer with one team and have success with varied receivers and running backs. Tom Brady comes to mind
I love collecting football cards but I do see how insane the whole concept is. QB is the ONLY position that holds long-term value. Every single position, including QB, is valued higher during their 1st year of playing time than any other time. This includes Mahomes since he didn’t play last year. The NFL rules on rookie contracts and guaranteed money have made it a league where every player moves around Gone are the days of following a team for 5+ years and getting to know “your guys”. Now players move every 2-4 years so it’s hard to build a base of hometown players who will sell well in certain markets. I look at my #13 Odell jersey every day and breathe a sigh of relief that they signed him to a long term deal. Otherwise, that jersey would be worthless to me. To me, that’s the big problem with the league today and it extends beyond card collecting.