If there is one award that means a ton to football cards, its the offensive rookie of the year. Because so many products are rookie focused, collectors have been following along all year, and this is the culmination in a lot of ways. When the award is finally announced on Saturday night, im curious what the value reaction will be. There are a few rookies who have run to the front of the pack as finalists for the award
, and I want to handicap some of the potential that they could win.
Odell Beckham Jr
Handicap: Close to a sure thing
Hobby Value: Extreme
I literally cannot remember a time where a WR commanded as much attention as Beckham commands so far in 2014. He is easily the top valued rookie in the class, and it is a direct result of his ability to make spectacular plays. His catch remains the best play of the year, and catapulted him onto the national stage where he excelled among many of the collectors’ fancy this year. Beckham is about as close to a sure thing as possible, and his card values reflect it. To think he did what he did and didnt even play a whole season? Im speechless.
Cards to chase:
2014 Contenders Odell Beckham Jr Championship Ticket Auto RC
2014 Chrome Odell Beckham Jr Auto RC
Odell Beckham Game Used 2014 Gloves – Steiner Cert
Teddy Bridgewater
Handicap: Middle of the road
Hobby Value: GOOD
I dont think many people expected Bridgewater to be the top QB in the class, especially with Johnny Manziel on the marquee when the draft started back at the beginning of the year. He posted some promising games at the end of the season, leading an embattled Vikings team steeped in controversy to a respectable 7-9 record in a tough division. Hobby wise, his value has climbed since the end of the year, with people realizing what he is all about.
Cards to chase:
2014 Contenders Teddy Bridgewater Rookie Ink Auto
2014 Topps Prime Teddy Bridgewater Auto Six Piece Booklet
2014 SP Authentic Teddy Bridgewater Auto 3 Color Patch
Mike Evans
Handicap: Top Tier
Hobby Value: GOOD
To have 1 WR be the main guy in the class is one thing. To have two WR play at a top level and maintain hobby value these days is insane in this age. Evans played for a terrible team at a devalued position, which means that his value suffered through no fault of his own. If Beckham didnt rule the last 8 weeks of the season, Evans would have a real shot at this award.
Cards to Chase:
2014 Topps Finest Mike Evans Auto RC Refractor /35
2014 Topps Chrome Mike Evans Auto RC
2013 Exquisite Mike Evans Auto XRC /99
Jeremy Hill
Handicap: Longshot
Hobby Value: BELOW AVERAGE
I really like what Jeremy Hill did for the Bengals this year. As a later round pick, he was a main reason why the Bengals had success in an offense that had its challenges. Gio Bernard struggled to get his footing late in the year, and Hill ran wild in his place. It was fun to watch, but collectors really dont care about RBs anymore. I cant tell you how much that makes me sad. Hill also has a terrible autograph, which further disinterests people.
Cards to Chase:
2014 Topps Platinum Jeremy Hill On Card Auto RC
2014 Topps Valor Jeremy Hill Auto Patch /25
2014 Topps Strata Jeremy Hill Clear Cut Auto Logo 1/1
Sammy Watkins
Handicap: Longshot
Hobby Value: GOOD
I put him on here because in the eyes of the hobby he deserves to be a finalist. Watkins was the top receiver drafted, but was arguably the fourth best of the class behind ODB, Evans and Benjamin. People have a lot more faith in him because of his college career and his potential, which will develop over the next few years. Its rare that WR have success in year one, and I dont think anyone is ready to give up on him. Even Dez Bryant didnt come on until his third year.
Cards to chase:
2014 Chrome Sammy Watkins Black Refractor Auto RC /25