C.J. Stroud, the highly anticipated quarterback who was the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been making waves in the NFL with the Houston Texans. This impressive start to his career has sparked significant interest in his rookie cards among collectors and fans alike. As a former Ohio State Buckeye, Stroud’s transition to the NFL was met with great excitement, and he has certainly lived up to expectations, leading to a surge in demand for his rookie cards.
There is a wide variety of C.J. Stroud rookie cards available, spanning several popular sets and series. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards for collectors to consider:
1. 2023 Donruss Rated Rookie C.J. Stroud RC #339: This affordable mainstream option from the 2023 Donruss Football set is a favorite among many collectors. It features various parallels and an Optic Preview card. The Downtown insert from this set is particularly sought-after for its rarity and high value.
2. 2023 Donruss Elite C.J. Stroud RC #112 (#/999): While not as flashy as some other options, this card from the Donruss Elite set offers a solid rookie card. The base version is limited to just 999 copies and there are also several rarer parallels available.
3. 2023 Panini Black C.J. Stroud RC #154: This card is a more elusive option due to the limited number of cards per box in the Panini Black Football set. Stroud’s card is part of a set that includes only five cards per box, with three of them typically being autographs or relics.
4. 2023 Panini Gold Standard C.J. Stroud RC #112 (#/99): In the Gold Standard set, Stroud’s rookie card is limited to just 99 copies. There are also other numbered editions available, such as Platinum. The set includes rare inserts like Double Eagle and El Dorado.
5. 2023 Panini Mosaic C.J. Stroud RC #292: This is a popular choice across all budgets, as the Panini Mosaic Football set offers high-end parallels and key inserts for Stroud. Some of the sought-after inserts include Kaleidoscope and Stained Glass.
6. 2023 Panini Plates & Patches C.J. Stroud RC #163: This set poses a challenge for collectors due to the scarcity of base cards, but it remains a valuable addition for those seeking Stroud’s cards.
When it comes to autographed cards, there is a notable absence of pack-pulled autographs featuring Stroud in his Texans jersey. However, collectors can still find several collegiate/prospect autograph cards from various manufacturers, including Bowman/Topps, Panini, and Leaf.
One licensed NFL autograph card that collectors can pursue is the 2023 Panini Instant RPS First Look Autographs C.J. Stroud #42 (#/391). This early release from Panini offered direct-to-consumer autographs in limited quantities. Additionally, the 2023 Topps Now Draft Football card, although lacking NFL licensing, features an on-card autograph from Stroud based on his NFL Draft night appearance.
As the year progresses, more 2023 Football Cards will be released, including popular brands. Collectors can expect to find even more options for adding C.J. Stroud rookie cards to their collections. Whether you’re looking for mainstream, inexpensive options or rare, high-value inserts and autographs, the range of C.J. Stroud rookie cards offers something for every collector and fan of this rising NFL star. So, get out there and start collecting!
