This was a strong year for NFL collectors, a VERY strong year. A rookie class with 4 QBs in the top fifteen picks, in addition to two wildly talented receivers, had potential from the beginning to be legendary, but I don’t think many thought there was a way they could do what they did all year. In the same vein, records were broken, arms were stomped on, and players were immortalized on SNL, all with positive and negative results in the hobby, and therefore I think it bears mention of who should win the end of year Hobby Awards for the NFL.

HOBBY MVP – AARON RODGERS

I would actually say this year was actually more detrimental than successful to the value of Aaron Rodgers cards, mainly because the rarity of his signature is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Although his cards were crazy ridiculous expensive from week four onwards, his MVP season will prompt a non-stop onslaught of his signature being included in products. Topps just did a signing with him, so he will have a ton of stickers for them to use, but it doesn’t negate the fact he is the most expensive signature of any active player.

HOBBY ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – CAM NEWTON

Although Andy Dalton arguably had more success, bringing his team to the playoffs for the first time in years, Newton is by far the most valuable of any rookie. Not only did he set records in terms of passing yards, TDs, and the like, but he also led most players in rushing TDs too. The value of his signature climbed steadily throughout the season, and even eclipsed the success of previous big gainers like Bradford, Tebow, and other QBs. His epic year was capped by the eye popping sale of his Superfractor auto, one that should have made a lot of Panther fans jealous.

HOBBY DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR – CHARLES WOODSON

Although Jared Allen came within half a sack of the record set by Michael Strahan, Charles Woodson was an unstoppable juggernaut of huge value highlighted in products from Panini this year. Woodson did not have any signatures since his rookie year, despite being a popular player on a popular team. This meant that supply was greatly exacerbated by demand, and huge prices resulted. The cards may have been horribly designed, but beggars cant be choosers at all.

HOBBY COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD – MARSHAWN LYNCH

Mr. Taste the Rainbow is a pretty unique individual, and has always had issues with his performance matching his personality. After a DYNAMIC performance against the Saints last year in the playoffs, Lynch seems to have put the past in the past. Collectors love unique personalities, and its obvious that after a complete loss of value in Buffalo, he has regained a sizeable fan base to match his sizeable contributions to Seattle’s offense. His value has almost tripled, and once you actually see what he accomplished, its not surprising.

HOBBY SOPHOMORE SLUMP AWARD – SAM BRADFORD

As good as Bradford played last year was equal to how bad he played this year. He was a superstar with huge prices last year during the Rams’ improbable run at a playoff shot, but didn’t come anywhere close in 2011. Not only did his team take a year off, but Bradford was often injured and played poorly when he was in the games. Granted he had NOBODY to throw to, but that hasn’t stopped him before. His value tanked about midway through the year, but many will speculate a turnaround if they can get Jeff Fisher or someone similar as a coach. They could easily draft Justin Blackmon, which means his value should immediately increase. Otherwise, he will be the latest incarnation of a draft bust.

HOBBY SOPHOMORE SUPERSTAR AWARD – TIM TEBOW

Tebow exploded in the second half of the year due to flukey win after flukey win. Even though he absolutely mailed it in the last three weeks of the season, his value EXPLODED with all the people who wanted to jump on his bandwagon. I think Tebow will end up flaming out sooner rather than later, but it was obvious that many people disagree with me. He has a lot of collectors that stand to gain a ton from a playoff win or two, but when you go up against the Steelers, good luck.

BIGGEST HOBBY SURPRISE AWARD – VICTOR CRUZ

When it comes to people who justify all those scrub autos that collectors HATE, Cruz is that guy. He had an absolutely dynamite year this year, and could actually be a top value gainer in the playoffs if things continue as they are. He led the league in a lot of important categories, and as a result his autographs almost quintupled in value, if not more. WRs are very undervalued in the hobby, mainly due to the replacement factor that keeps them out of the HOF, but playing in New York could do him a TON of favors.

BIGGEST WASTE OF 100 BUCKS AWARD – TYRELLE PRYOR

Before the Raiders traded the rest of their 2012 and 2013 draft for Carson Palmer, Tyrelle Pryor was going for astronomical prices, despite not having much of a resume. He was a supplemental draft pick who came on very late, and college team did have a lot to do with it. However, he will continue to be buried on the roster until they figure out what is going to do at Quarterback. Im not saying he isn’t worth spending a few dollars on if you are an OSU or Raiders collector, but 100 bucks? Cmon.

HOBBY GHOST AWARD – MARK SANCHEZ

The Jets and Eagles both had disastrous seasons this year, and its easy to see that the value of their players took a hit as a result. For a guy who will forever be measured against Matt Stafford, Sanchez had an awful year in the hobby. Not only did he play like poop down the stretch, but he basically took out whatever legs his coach had to stand on. Sanchez’s value long term may now be up in the air more than ever, which is concerning considering how much his cards were worth coming out of the two AFC championship games.

With Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III already making headlines before the draft, its obvious that next year has some pretty incredible potential for NFL collectors. Lets hope it can live up to this year, and that is even without Jake Locker starting a game.