Are you interested in investing in Justin Jefferson rookie cards?
If so, you are not alone. There were more than 5,000 Justin Jefferson rookie cards sold on eBay in 2020 and close to that same number in from Jan. – Jun. 2021. That’s a lot of money changing hands.
And its no surprise that Justin Jefferson is among the most popular rookies from the 2020 NFL Draft class. He ranked 4th among all NFL Wide Receivers in receiving yards in 2020 and made his first NFL Pro Bowl. That’s impressive.
That said, there are more than 100 different Justin Jefferson rookie cards which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, Sports Card Research has done all the hard work for you and 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 5 categories included in this list (links to eBay):
- Most Popular: Panini Prizm #398
- Budget: Donruss Rated Rookie #313
- Autograph: Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Auto
- Relic: National Treasures Jersey Patch
- RPA: Flawless Rookie Patch Auto (RPA)
Otherwise, check out the complete list of the top 17 cards below.
Most Popular Justin Jefferson Rookie Cards
We select the most popular Justin Jefferson rookie cards based on transaction volume and Google Search volume. We believe these two data sources provide the best indication of popularity in the sports card industry.
1. Justin Jefferson Panini Prizm #398 (Shop on eBay)
The Prizm football set from Panini is arguably the most popular release each year and as a result the rookie cards are also very popular. The Justin Jefferson Prizm rookie card is no exception. This is one of the top 5 most highly sought-after cards according to Google search volume and is bought and sold frequently on eBay
Prizm includes more than 40 parallels of all base cards including:
- Silver Prizm #398 (Very Popular!)
- Red Ice #398
- Lazer Prizm #398
Investors and collectors like all three parallels, but the Silver Prizm is especially coveted. If you are willing to spend the money, you cannot go wrong with a PSA 9+ or BGS 9+ graded Silver Prizm Justin Jefferson rookie card.
All Prizm cards use Optichrome technology which provides the card with a high quality, glossy finish. The image of the card features Jefferson in his No. 18 Vikings jersey running with the football.
2. Optic Justin Jefferson Rated Rookie #163 (Shop on eBay)
Donruss Optic uses the same Optichrome finish as Prizm resulting in a higher-end version of the flagship Donruss “Rated Rookie” card. The Justin Jefferson rated rookie is among the top 5 Jefferson rookie cards by consumer demand which also makes this card frequently bought and sold on eBay.
Donruss Optic includes more than 20 parallels such as:
- Justin Jefferson Rated Rookie Holo #163 (Popular parallel!)
- Rated Rookie Hyper Blue #163
The image on the card is almost identical to Prizm. Like Prizm, the image on the card features Jefferson after a catch in his white Vikings jersey as he runs up-field.
3. Justin Jefferson Mosaic #209 (Shop on eBay)
Mosaic made its football debut in 2020 and collectors were quick to adopt the new brand, making the Justin Jefferson Mosaic #209 one of the most popular Jefferson rookie cards. Interesting fact: Mosaic uses the same Optichrome technology as Panini Prizm cards.
The Justin Jefferson Mosaic rookie card features more than 20 parallels including:
- Mosaic Silver #209 (Popular!)
- Reactive Gold #209
Like Prizm, Mosaic features a “Silver” parallel which is among the most popular parallels and our personal favorite.
The card features the “RC” logo on the top-right and the “M” for Mosaic on the top-left. Jefferson is shown running with the football in his right-hand in his purple No. 18 Vikings jersey.
4. Justin Jefferson Select #61 (Shop on eBay)
Panini Select is an Optichrome set, similar to Prizm and Mosaic. The Justin Jefferson Select rookie card is quantifiably less popular than the Prizm, Mosaic, and Rated Rookie cards, but its design and legacy with collectors earns its spot in the “Most Popular” section. Collectors and investors often compare and contrast Select to Prizm and some believe Select cards are undervalued in the hobby. Therefore, this card is definitely worth a look if you are interested in Justin Jefferson rookie cards.
Interesting fact: Select includes four ‘levels’ which are progressively harder to find:
In addition, each card ‘level’ includes more than 20 parallels, none more popular than the Panini Select Justin Jefferson Silver Prizm. The Silver Prizm is available for all four levels.
Budget Justin Jefferson Rookie Cards
The budget rookie cards are selected by identifying cards that are popular with collectors and typically less expensive than the cards included in the “Most Popular” list. These cards provide a lower entry price to collect and invest in Justin Jefferson rookie cards.
5. Donruss Rated Rookie #313 (Shop on eBay)
Donruss Football is one of the most popular NFL sets released each year by Panini. The “Rated Rookie” logo at the top-left of the card is highly recognizable within the card collecting hobby and among the most frequently used modifiers when searching for Justin Jefferson rookie cards on Google. The Donruss base brand is the lower-end version of the Donruss Optic brand featured earlier in this list, and as a result the cards are also less expensive than Optic.
The Donruss base brand includes several parallels including:
We like the image featured on this card. Jefferson is mid-run with the ball in his right-hand as he makes a move to avoid a defender. This is an excellent choice for an entry level Justin Jefferson rookie card investment.
6. Absolute #168 (Shop on eBay)
The Justin Jefferson Absolute rookie card is another personal favorite in the “Budget” category. Absolute is the only card in this category that includes a chrome finish and this card is also among the top 10 most frequently searched for Justin Jefferson rookie cards on Google.
There are more than 15 parallels of this card including:
The Justin Jefferson Absolute card features Jefferson running with the football in his white No. 18 Minnesota Vikings jersey.
7. Contenders Rookie Ticket (Shop on eBay)
The Justin Jefferson Rookie Ticket is pulled from the always popular Panini Contenders set. This card is not as frequently searched for on Google compared to all other cards featured thus far, but Rookie Ticket cards are a staple in the hobby and remain popular.
Contenders includes two popular variations of Justin Jefferson Rookie Ticket cards:
Interesting fact: Like Donruss, Contenders includes both a base and 2020 Contenders Optic release. Both sets include the popular rookie ticket cards.
The Justin Jefferson Contenders base rookie ticket features Jefferson running with the football with a purple jersey patch on the left-side of the card.
8. Score #430 (Shop on eBay)
Panini Score officially kicks off a new year in football card collecting each year as it is the first football card set release from Panini each year. All Score cards feature the NFL’s brightest young stars in their college football jersey. Justin Jefferson is in his LSU Tigers jersey.
The Justin Jefferson Score #430 is among the top 10 most frequently searched Jefferson rookie cards on Google and is among the most affordable. This is also the only card on this list that features Jefferson in his LSU Tigers uniform.
Panini Score set includes relatively few parallels, but some of the more popular ones include:
Like many Jefferson rookie cards, the 2020 Score #430 features Jefferson running with the football after catching the ball.
9. Bonus: Justin Jefferson Rookie Cards Under $20
Other than the four cards featured in this category, Justin Jefferson has many rookie cards valued at less than $20. Shop them on eBay here: Justin Jefferson Rookie Cards under $20
Justin Jefferson Autograph Rookie Cards
Justin Jefferson autograph cards includes signed cards selected from several of the most popular football card sets. This section excludes popular rookie patch auto (RPA) cards because those cards are included in a subsequent section.
10. Prizm Autograph #398 (Shop on eBay)
Featuring Panini’s Optichrome technology, an on-card autograph, and beautiful design, the Jefferson Prizm Auto #398 is one of the most popular Jefferson signed rookie cards. If you are a collector or investor who is interested in a premier, high-value Jefferson football card, it would be hard to go wrong with selecting this one.
There are ~15 parallels of 2020 Prizm Autograph cards, noticeably less than this card’s non-autograph counterpart. Neon Green Pulsar, Pink, and Purple Pulsar are the only unnumbered parallels with the remaining being numbered /149 or fewer.
The card features Justin Jefferson running in his white No. 18 Minnesota Vikings uniform with both hands on the football
11. Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Autograph (Shop on eBay)
The Optic Rookie Ticket Justin Jefferson rookie card is among the most highly sought-after signed Jefferson football cards. As mentioned previously, Contenders Optic applies Panini’s Optichrome finish to the popular Contenders base brand, thereby increasing the appeal and value of the cards. Like the Prizm autograph featured above, the Rookie Ticket Optic auto is a higher-end card that will require a larger budget to buy. As of July 2021, most cards are listed on eBay in the $300-600 range, but rare parallels with high-grades are listed for $2,000+.
The Contenders Optic Justin Jefferson rookie card features an on-card autograph, chrome finish, and Jefferson in his purple Minnesota Vikings uniform catching the football.
12. Bonus: Checklist of Justin Jefferson Autograph Cards
Almost every 2020 Panini and Leaf football card set includes a Justin Jefferson rookie autograph card. Below is a checklist for you to consider:
- National Treasures Autograph (non-patch) (Check Price on eBay)
- Panini Mosaic Rookie Auto (Check Price on eBay)
- Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Autograph (Check Price on eBay)
- Flawless Rookie Auto (Check Price on eBay)
- Panini Illusions Rookie Auto (Check Price on eBay)
- Obsidian Rookie Autograph (Check Price on eBay)
- Prizm Draft Auto (Check Price on eBay)
- Leaf Draft Autograph (Check Price on eBay)
Prices vary, but as of July 2021, there are several Justin Jefferson Autograph Rookie Cards under $100.
Justin Jefferson Relic Rookie Cards
This category includes jersey and relic cards from several of the most popular football card sets. Like the autograph card section, this category excludes RPA cards.
13. Justin Jefferson National Treasures Patch (Shop on eBay)
National Treasures is one of the most highly anticipated football and basketball card releases for high-end sports card collectors each year. The 2020 National Treasures Hobby Box includes only 8 cards, but sells for $2,000-3,000 dollars as of July 2021. Despite the high price point of the Hobby Box, the 2020 Justin Jefferson National Treasure Patch / Relic cards can typically be purchased for < $100. The cards are rare and look great, so I really like these cards at this price point.
Each National Treasures card is numbered /99 or less and includes a piece of Justin Jefferson’s jersey. Pro tip: the greater the number of colors on the patch (e.g., 3 colors) the more highly valued the card typically is.
14. Justin Jefferson Immaculate Patch (Shop on eBay)
Immaculate is another very high-end football card set released each year by Panini. The 2020 Immaculate Football Hobby Box includes only 6 cards, but is sold for ~$2,000 as of July 2021. Like National Treasures, the Justin Jefferson Relic / Patch cards from this set can typically be purchased for < $100. Some rarer patches, such as Justin Jefferson’s gloves, are valued higher but still usually < $250.
The image and patch on these cards varies, but will always include a picture of Justin Jefferson and a relic (e.g., jersey, gloves, laundry tag).
Justin Jefferson RPA Cards
This category includes the highly sought-after Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) cards. These cards are typically at the higher end of the price range. This category excludes autograph only and patch only cards.
15. National Treasures Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) (Shop on eBay)
The Justin Jefferson rookie patch auto (RPA) category will include many of the most valuable Justin Jefferson rookie cards on the market. Combine the RPA designation with the popularity and price-point of the National Treasures brand, and you get one of the most highly sought-after Jefferson rookie cards available. The Justin Jefferson National Treasures RPA is a beautiful card with some variations selling for more than $1,000 via auction on eBay.
Interesting fact: National Treasures produces both vertical and horizontal RPA cards. Collectors and investors typically prefer and are willing to pay more for the vertical RPA Justin Jefferson rookie cards.
All Justin Jefferson National Treasures RPA cards feature an on-card autograph and jersey patch. Like the patch only cards, the card value usually increases when the patch contains multiple colors.
16. Flawless RPA (Shop on eBay)
Like National Treasures, Flawless is a super high-end football card release from Panini. Few collectors and investors can afford the $1,000+ price for Flawless RPA cards, but for those who can, this is a beautiful card and worth considering.
Interesting fact: Every 2020 Flawless Football card is numbered /25 or less making the Flawless Justin Jefferson RPA one of his most valuable cards.
The image and patch on the Jefferson Flawless RPA varies, but each RPA includes an on-card autograph and sizeable patch. Of the Flawless RPA cards I have seen, they all include at least a 2 color patch.
17. Bonus: Checklist of Justin Jefferson RPA cards
Panini created many Justin Jefferson RPA cards in 2020. Below is a checklist of Justin Jefferson RPA cards for you to consider.
- Obsidian Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) (Check Price on eBay)
- Panini Illusions RPA (Check Price on eBay)
- Select Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) (Check Price on eBay)
- Spectra RPA (Check Price on eBay)
- Phoenix Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) (Check Price on eBay)
Justin Jefferson Rookie Patch Auto (RPA) cards will be among the most expensive, but there are several options at the lower end of the RPA price range. Check out Justin Jefferson RPA Cards under $200.
Most Expensive Justin Jefferson Rookie Card
The most expensive Justin Jefferson rookie card sold by auction on eBay is the 2020 Optic Contenders Rookie Autograph Gold Vinyl #1/1. The card sold for $6,100 on eBay in May 2021.
Shop Justin Jefferson rookie cards on eBay
Justin Jefferson Risk and Upside Potential
Note: please keep in mind that all sports card investments carry risk, and you should always complete your own analysis prior to investing in sports cards.
Heading into the 2021 NFL season, we classify Justin Jefferson rookie cards as Moderate Risk with Low-Moderate Upside potential.
>> Read How to Get Started with Sports Card Investing
Justin Jefferson Rookie Card Risk
Justin Jefferson was among the best offensive rookies in the 2020 NFL season and could have won AP Offensive Rookie of the Year if it weren’t for an even stronger performance from Justin Herbert. In 2020, Justin Jefferson caught 88 passes for 1,400 yards and 7 TD on his way to his first NFL Pro Bowl selection. 1,400 receiving yards was good enough for 4th place among all wide receivers.
Jefferson’s stats speak for themselves, but I still approach all rookies with strong first year performances with some caution for two reasons. First, the player has only demonstrated that level of performance for one season. Second, injuries are common, especially for skill positions such as RB and WR. I like Justin Jefferson as a player and believe he has a successful career in front of him, but still believe his rookie cards deserve a Moderate Risk designation.
Justin Jefferson Rookie Card Upside Potential
Quarterbacks have historically captured the large majority of sports card investor and collectors attention and investment, but that has started to change in recent years. Justin Jefferson’s rookie card values have benefited from this trend and his cards can likely still increase in value.
That said, there aren’t many NFL Wide Receivers with card prices higher than Jefferson’s. For example, the 2019 DK Metcalf Prizm PSA 10 rookie card is valued at roughly the same as Justin Jefferson’s PSA 10 Prizm rookie card. Furthermore, as I demonstrated in Ranking the Most Valuable NFL Wide Receiver Rookie Cards in 2020, there are only a few active wide receivers with rookie card values greater than $200. And those that are, are likely headed to the Hall of Fame.
Because Justin Jefferson will likely need to put up very strong numbers for multiple years to come in order for his card prices to significantly increase, we classify his rookie cards has having Low-Moderate Upside potential.
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