Are you interested in buying a Zach Wilson rookie card?
If so, you are not alone. More than 2,000 Zach Wilson cards have been purchased on eBay so far in 2021 and that number will likely double or even triple before the end of the year.
Collectors’ interest in Zach Wilson makes sense. The New York Jets drafted Wilson with the 2nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft following an impressive college career at BYU. In addition, Wilson’s Preseason Week 2 performance against the Green Bay Packers demonstrated that Wilson may already be ready for NFL football. Wilson completed 9 out of 11 passes for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.
So which Zach Wilson rookie card should you buy?
Unfortunately, there is no single answer to that question and investors face a complicated array of cards to choose from. That’s why Sports Card Research has compiled an easy-to-follow, comprehensive list of the most important cards you need to know before you invest.
In a hurry? Here are our favorites from each of the 6 categories included in this list (links to eBay):
- Most Popular: Prizm Draft Picks #105
- Budget: Score #304
- Autograph: Prizm Draft Picks Autograph
- Relic: Chronicles Draft Picks Relic
- RPA: Immaculate Collegiate RPA
- Rare Insert: Prizm Draft Picks Color Blast
Most Popular Zach Wilson Rookie Cards
The “Most Popular” rookie card category includes cards most commonly searched for on Google and transacted on eBay. These cards are likely to be collectible long-term because they are popular with investors and collectors.
1. Prizm Draft Picks #105 (Shop on eBay)
The Zach Wilson Prizm Draft Picks is among the most popular Wilson rookie cards available as of August 2021. The 2021 Prizm Draft Picks Hobby Box from Panini features newly drafted rookies in their college uniforms. As a result, all Zach Wilson cards from this set feature him in his BYU Cougars football uniform.
Collectors should also know that Prizm Draft Picks is the collegiate variation of the super popular NFL Prizm set. The NFL Prizm set will likely be released in Winter 2021 and until then, collectors have Prizm Draft Picks cards available to collect.
Like all Prizm sets, 2021 Prizm Draft Picks features many Zach Wilson rookie card parallels including:
- Silver Prizm Draft Picks #105
- Red, White, and Blue Prizm Draft Picks #105
- Gold Ice Prizm Draft Picks #105
The card price varies based on condition and rarity. Sellers list the base card for under $10 and rare parallels for several hundred dollars.
2. Chronicles Draft Picks #(Varies) (Shop on eBay)
Chronicles Draft Picks is known for including a collection of different brands from Panini. Like Prizm Draft Picks, this set features newly drafted NFL rookies in their college uniforms. As a result, Zach Wilson is once again featured in his BYU Cougars uniform.
The card serial number varies based on brand of the card and Panini features ~15 different base card variations. Here are several examples you may like:
As you might expect, the price varies based on condition and rarity. Sellers list several base cards for under $5, but they also list ultra-rare variations for $1,000+.
3. Gold Standard #102 (Shop on eBay)
Gold Standard is among the more popular Zach Wilson cards right now because it is one of the few brands available which features Wilson in his New York Jets uniform. This will change, of course, as the season moves on and Panini releases more NFL Football card sets. But for now, we are including Gold Standard in the Most Popular category.
The 2021 Gold Standard Hobby Box includes only seven cards. On average, five of the seven cards are autographs and/or memorabilia cards. In addition, the base cards, such as the Zach Wilson Gold Standard #102 card, are numbered /99.
The base Zach Wilson rookie card also includes several parallels. Collectors have the opportunity to find Platinum (/75), White Gold (/49), Rose Gold (/25), Black (/1), among others.
The base card features Zach Wilson in his red practice jersey and green New York Jets helmet.
4. Mosaic Draft Picks #2 (Shop on eBay)
Mosaic Draft Picks Football is a new release for 2021. Panini released NFL Mosaic for the first time in 2020 and likely reasoned a Mosaic Collegiate line would be well-received by collectors.
Like Prizm Draft Picks and Chronicles Draft Picks, Mosaic Draft Picks features NFL rookies exclusively in college uniforms. As a result, Zach Wilson is wearing his BYU Cougars uniform.
Like Prizm, Mosaic is known for having many parallels. Here are a few parallels from this set you might like:
Collectors have many cards and price points to choose from in this set. For example, a collector purchased a Gold Wave variation numbered /10 for $380 in June 2021. Comparatively, sellers list the base card on eBay for under $10.
Budget Zach Wilson Rookie Cards
The “Budget” rookie card category includes cards that are both popular and usually less expensive than cards included in the “Most Popular” category. “Budget” category cards provide good entry-level rookie card investment options.
5. Score #304 (Shop on eBay)
Score is among the earliest sets released by Panini each year. This set also typically remains relatively affordable and popular throughout the football card collecting season. For these reasons, this is one of my favorites in the Budget category.
The Zach Wilson Score #304 rookie card is among the most popular chase cards from the 2021 Score Football set. The card also features a few parallels such as:
The Zach Wilson Score #304 features Wilson in his all-white BYU Cougars uniform. He is holding the football with his right-hand as he rolls out to make a pass downfield.
As I mentioned, this card is typically relatively affordable. Sellers list Gold and Purple parallels for under $10 on eBay, as of August 2021. Base cards are even cheaper.
6. Legacy #143 (Shop on eBay)
Legacy is a moderately popular set released by Panini. Most rookie cards from this set remain affordable throughout the football card collecting season. Panini released Legacy for the third time in 2021. Like previous releases, the hobby set features a traditional, saloon-like design. Due to its early season release date, all rookies are featured in their college uniforms.
Panini included more than 20 parallels of base cards in this set. This means collectors will find a wide variety of Zach Wilson rookie cards including:
The Zach Wilson Legacy #143 features Wilson in his all-white BYU Cougars uniform. He is holding the football with his right-hand in a passing motion.
Zach Wilson Autograph Cards
The “Autograph” rookie card category includes signed cards from popular and unique football card releases. This category excludes rookie patch auto (RPA) cards because those cards are featured in a subsequent section.
7. Prizm Draft Picks Autograph #DPAZWL (Shop on eBay)
The Zach Wilson Prizm Draft Picks Autograph rookie card comes from the same set as the first card featured on this list. This card is also among the most popular and sought-after Zach Wilson autograph rookie cards released to-date. Collectors should know that the relative popularity of this card will decrease as Panini releases more NFL Football sets, but this card will likely remain collectible.
Like the base Prizm Draft Picks cards, the autograph versions of this card include several parallels. Collectors will find Red (/199), Blue Ice (/75), Orange Pulsar (/50), Blue Shimmer (/13), and other parallels.
The Prizm Draft Picks autograph is among the most expensive cards available to-date. For example, a seller lists a PSA 10 Zach Wilson Prizm Draft Picks Autograph Blue Shimmer /13 for $3,750 on eBay. In addition, a collector purchased an ungraded Black Prizm (/1) for $4,245 in July 2021.
8. Leaf Metal Draft Autograph (Shop on eBay)
Leaf released Metal Draft in May 2021, roughly one month after the 2021 NFL Draft. The set is a premium release from Leaf and features only autograph cards. Collectors can still purchase the 2021 Leaf Metal Draft Hobby Box on eBay for ~$150.
The Zach Wilson Leaf Metal Draft Autograph is among the most highly sought-after cards from the set. The card features an up-close shot of Zach Wilson in his BYU Cougars uniform and a sticker autograph at the bottom of the card. Unlike cards from Panini, Leaf cards do not include team logos because Leaf does not have the license to do so.
Collectors purchased variations of this card for between $70 and $735 over the past few months. For example, a collector purchased the Leaf Metal Draft Black Crystal numbered /1 for $735 in June 2021.
Zach Wilson Relic Rookie Cards
The “Relic” rookie card category includes relic / jersey / patch cards from popular and unique football card releases. This category excludes rookie patch auto (RPA) cards because those cards are featured in a subsequent section.
9. Chronicles Draft Picks Relic (Shop on eBay)
2021 Chronicles Draft Picks features a variety of sub-brands which means collectors will find multiple variations of Zach Wilson relic rookie cards in this set. Like all Draft Picks sets discussed thus far, Chronicles Draft Picks features NFL rookies in their collegiate uniforms. Panini will likely release NFL Chronicles this season, but that set likely won’t be released until Spring 2022.
Collectors interested in buying a Zach Wilson Chronicles rookie card have several options, including:
Zach Wilson rookie card investors will be happy to learn both cards are relatively affordable. Sellers list the Down & Dirty Relic for less than $10 and the Plates & Patches relic for less than $50, as of August 2021.
Zach Wilson RPA Cards
The “RPA” rookie card category includes rookie patch autograph cards from popular and unique football card releases. This category incudes some of the most highly sought-after and expensive rookie cards.
10. Immaculate Collegiate RPA (Shop on eBay)
2021 Immaculate Collegiate is the first super premium football hobby set release for the 2021-22 NFL season. The NCAA-focused set features established stars and incoming rookies all in their collegiate uniforms. Collectors who purchase the 2021 Immaculate Collegiate Hobby Box will receive six cards: four autographs, one memorabilia card, and one base card.
Zach Wilson rookie card collectors will find several variations of Wilson RPAs, but all are numbered /99 or less.
Every Zach Wilson RPA features him in his BYU Cougars uniform. The card also features a jersey patch and on-card autograph.
11. Gold Standard RPA (Shop on eBay)
The Zach Wilson Gold Standard RPA is one of the few early football cards that features Wilson in his New York Jets uniform. For this reason, I wanted to include the card in this list.
Gold Standard features only seven cards in the 2021 hobby box, but five of those cards are autographs or memorabilia cards. In addition, all Zach Wilson RPA cards are numbered /75 or less.
The Gold Standard Zach Wilson RPA cards feature Wilson in his New York Jets uniform, a Jets jersey patch, and a sticker autograph.
Collectors recently purchased variations of this card for $300 to $700. For example, a collector purchased a 2021 Gold Standard Zach Wilson RPA numbered /75 for $380 in August 2021.
Zach Wilson Rare Insert Cards
The “Rare Inserts” rookie card category includes rare and highly sought-after rookie cards. The cards on this list will be among the most expensive rookie cards available, particularly when the card includes a high grade from a reputable grading company.
12. Prizm Draft Picks Color Blast #16 (Shop on eBay)
The Zach Wilson Prizm Draft Picks Color Blast is among the most valuable Wilson cards released through August 2021. Prizm DP Color Blast is a 1 per 10 case hit making it extremely rare and difficult to find. In fact, only two sellers list the Zach Wilson Color Blast card for sale at the time of writing this article.
Collectors who are interested in buying this card will likely need to spend at least $1,000 to purchase it. For example, a collector purchased a PSA 10 Zach Wilson Prizm DP Color Blast for $2,201 in August 2021.
Zach Wilson Rookie Card Preview (2021-22)
Football card manufacturers release a wide variety of football card sets during and after the NFL season. This staggered release scheduled enables them to maximize sales by capitalizing on different levels of football card demand throughout the year.
As a result, collectors will have many more Zach Wilson rookie card options one year from now. While I will not list every single release (that list would be too long), I will highlight some of my personal favorites below. I hope this will help you plan for your upcoming purchases.
Football card sets likely release in 2021 (Preview)
Donruss Football (2021): Panini will release this set on September 8, 2021. Collectors are typically interested in the “Rated Rookie” cards from this set.
Mosaic Football (2021): Panini may release this set in Fall 2021 (September). Mosaic is relatively new to football card collecting, but many collectors like this set.
Prizm Football (2021): Panini may release this set in Winter 2021 (December). I consider this the flagship football card set release each year. With a loaded rookie class, expect demand for this set to be very high this year.
Immaculate Football (2021): Panini may release this set in Winter 2021 (December). Known for super-premium RPA cards, Immaculate Football is great for high-end collectors.
Sets likely released in 2022 (Preview)
Donruss Optic Football (2021): Panini may release this set early in 2022 (February). Donruss Optic features a chrome finish and is the higher-end variation of the base Donruss set.
Select Football (2021): Panini may release this set in Spring 2022 (April). Select is known for its various “Levels” of cards. The set also features a chrome finish and is typically in high demand.
National Treasures Football (2021): Panini may release this set in Spring 2022 (April). This is my favorite super-premium set from Panini. It includes a wide array of autographs, RPAs, and relics.
Flawless Football (2021): Panini may release this set in Spring 2022 (May). This is another super-premium set from Panini. High-end collectors pay high premiums for RPAs from this set.
Zach Wilson Rookie Card Risk and Upside Analysis
Note: Our content is intended to be used and must be used for informational purposes only. You should independently research and verify any information you find on our Website and wish to rely upon, whether for the purpose of making an investment decision or otherwise.
The New York Jets drafted Zach Wilson with the #2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Although the New York Jets have lost more games than they have won in recent years, Zach Wilson performed well in preseason games and could help change the Jets’ fortunes moving forward. If Wilson succeeds, his rookie card values have plenty of upside. However, at this point in the season, he is still unproven. As a result, I classify Zach Wilson as High Risk with High Upside Potential.
Why do we believe Zach Wilson rookie cards are high risk?
Zach Wilson has the tools to be successful at the NFL level, but there are several reasons to be cautious at this point in the season.
First, Wilson has not played a single regular season NFL game yet. Until he does and performs well, we must consider Zach Wilson rookie cards high risk bets.
Second, the New York Jets have not been a good team in recent years. In fact, the Jets have not had a winning season since 2015 when they went 10-6. The Jets will need to win more games in order for collectors to rally around Zach Wilson rookie cards.
For these reasons, Zach Wilson rookie card values are High Risk investments right now.
Why do we believe Zach Wilson rookie cards have high upside potential?
Sports card collectors love Quarterbacks or win games and even more, Quarterbacks who win championships.
Need proof?
Check out Tom Brady and / or Patrick Mahomes II rookie card prices.
Zach Wilson has a long road to travel in order to achieve the same level of success as Tom Brady, or even Patrick Mahomes. However, if Wilson is able to lead the Jets to the playoffs and perhaps even to a Super Bowl, his card prices will almost certainly increase significantly.
For theses reasons, Zach Wilson rookie card values have High Upside Potential.
How do Zach Wilson rookie cards compare to QBs in same draft class?
The 2021 NFL Draft was loaded with Quarterback talent. In fact, the first three picks of the draft were Quarterbacks, and five Quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the draft.
All Quarterbacks were drafted with the intention of making them the full-time starter for their respective teams.
Who will be the best from the class?
Only time will tell, and we will keep you updated every step of the way.
For now, check out our rookie card summary of other key Quarterbacks from the 2021 NFL Draft:
Note: This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
