2024-25 Football Breakouts: Must-Have Rookie Cards to Invest In

The start of the 2024-25 NFL football season is fast approaching.

Several players have breakout seasons yearly, leading to a high demand for their rookie cards.

Puka Nukua, Kyren Williams, Jordan Love, Nico Collins, Sam Laporta, and others broke out last year.

This year, I have made some picks of players that will break out, making their rookie cards great potential investments before the season begins.

I did not select NFL rookies because many of their best cards are unavailable.

Let’s break down my breakout players for this NFL season and some cards you should be targeting for each player.

2023 Panini Prizm Anthony Richardson #343 PSA 10 Rookie Card

Anthony Richardson showed great promise as a rookie quarterback last season until a shoulder injury ended his season.

Richardson is a dual threat with a strong arm and excellent running ability. Many fantasy experts anticipate Richardson accumulating big passing and running stats this season.

I believe Richardson’s cards are still undervalued compared to CJ Stroud’s.

Stroud had a record rookie season statistically, but fantasy experts have Richardson rated slightly higher than Stroud heading into the start of the season.

Richardson’s Panini Prizm PSA 10 rookies sell for about $50+ on eBay. This is a great card to buy in bulk, as these could reach $90 to $100 once Richardson has a couple of big games.

2023 Panini Prizm Silver Auto De’Von Achane

The Dolphins landed a steal in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft with De’Von Achane, who delivered some monster performances as a rookie running back last season.

Achane is ranked as the 10th overall running back in Fantasy Football, and many experts predict he’s on the verge of a breakout season.

I expect Achane to take over as the Dolphins’ starting running back this season (over Raheem Mostert) and significantly increase his touches.

There are only 100+ PSA 10 Graded copies of Achane’s 2023 Prizm Silver Auto Rookie card, which is worth around $180.

If Achane excels, a PSA 10-graded copy could reach $250 this season.

For even better value, look for ungraded examples on eBay for around $70-80.

Achane is undoubtedly one of the best young running backs to invest in!

2022 Panini Prizm Silver Auto Drake London #308 RC

Drake London is now entering his third NFL season. He is a huge and explosive wide receiver who is only 23 years old.

For fantasy football purposes, London is projected as the 12th-best overall receiver in the NFL. London now has a better quarterback (Kirk Cousins) throwing him the ball this season, making him a strong breakout candidate.

One of London’s cards to target is his 2022 Prizm Silver PSA 10 Rookie Auto. According to eBay comps, its value has steadily increased from $140 to $180.

This same card of London could reach $225-250 in value this season if he lives up to expectations.

2022 Panini Prizm Silver Auto RC Zamir White #323

Zamir White is projected as the starting running back for the Las Vegas Raiders this upcoming season, taking over for Josh Jacobs, who left for the Packers.

White turns 25 years old soon and had some big games towards the end of the season last year.

White will look to build on that success as he is projected as the 22nd-best running back overall in fantasy leagues.

White is flying under the radar heading into the start of the season. His Prizm Silver Auto Rookie is available for $50 on eBay.

There are few graded examples of White, so investing in an ungraded example is your best bet.

This card could increase to $75-80 this season, as White has some good upside.

2023 Panini Prizm Silver RC #305 Bijan Robinson

Bijan Robinson was selected 8th overall in the 2023 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons.

Robinson was highly touted as a rookie last season but didn’t quite live up to the hype. With a new coach and a new QB (Kirk Cousins), I expect Robinson to be much improved over last year.

Fantasy experts and card collectors also hope for a much better season this year, with many expecting a breakout.

Robinson projects as the number two running back in fantasy football, ranked only behind Christian McCaffrey.

I recommend targeting Bijan Robinson’s 2023 Prizm Silver Rookie card in a PSA 10 grade.

This card sells for around $120 on eBay and could reach $175 this season if Robinson performs exceptionally well.

Only 278 Bijan Robinson Prizm Silver Rookies have received a PSA 10 grade.

2023 Panini Prizm Silver RC #307 Zay Flowers

Zay Flowers showed flashes of brilliance at wide receiver last year in his rookie season with the Baltimore Ravens.

In Fantasy football circles, Flowers ranks 27th amongst wide receivers to start the season.

Flowers fits in well with Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense, poised for a breakout season.

One of his cards that has been increasing in value is his 2023 Prizm Silver rookie card #307.

A graded PSA 10 copy is valued at about $75. A few weeks ago, these were selling for $50, showing Flowers is already getting a lot of hype heading into the start of the season. 

2023 Panini Prizm Silver RC Dalton Kincaid #308

Dalton Kincaid is projected to have a big breakout season. The Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs this off-season, opening up the potential for more targets for Kincaid.

Kincaid has been compared to Travis Kelce because of his explosive potential and is ranked as the #5 Tight End overall in Fantasy Football. Thus, many fantasy and sports card experts are projecting a big season.

Kincaid’s Prizm Rookie Silver from 2023 is already trending up in value. Recent eBay sales of PSA 10 copies have reached over $100.

Is it worth it? This price point is a premium, especially for a second-tier tight end. As a Kincaid investor, you would have to pay a bit of a premium and hope he lives up to the hype!

I like Kincaid this year, but I would advise buying cautiously.

2022 Panini Prizm Silver Auto RC Garrett Wilson #309

Garrett Wilson got a ton of hype last season when the New York Jets landed Aaron Rodgers in a deal.

Wilson’s cards reached an all-time high in value last August. Unfortunately, Rodgers got injured in the season’s first game, and we couldn’t see the potential of the Rodgers-Wilson connection.

Rodgers is back entering this season, and hype should start back up again. Wilson still had over 1,000 yards last season but only three touchdowns. I expect Wilson to be even better with Rodgers back under center.

The card to target is Wilson’s 2022 Prizm Silver Autograph rookie card.

This card sells for about $100 ungraded, but if the Jets are playing well, it could reach $150-175 at some point this season.

2022 Panini Contender Auto RC Khalil Shakir #219

Wide receiver Khalil Shakir is only 24 years old and will have a much more significant role with the Buffalo Bills this season.

Shakir has big-play ability and fits in well with Josh Allen. He’s a player worth a chance on in fantasy drafts and football cards.

One of his most popular cards is his 2022 Panini Contenders Autograph Rookie, #219, which sells for $20 to $30.

This card could easily double near the playoffs, as Shakir has breakout potential written all over him.

2022 Panini Prizm Silver Auto George Pickens RC

George Pickens is now the Pittsburgh Steelers’ number-one receiver; his average draft position (ADP) in fantasy football, at 29th overall, seems low.

Pickens has shown great talent, making several one-handed catches. Russell Wilson, now with the Steelers, should also help his value.

One Pickens card I would target is his 2022 Panini Prizm Silver Auto Rookie, which sells for around $150 on eBay.

A safer investment might be worth buying the same card ungraded for $60-70 value.