Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards: Best Sets and Parallels to Buy

Lamar Jackson has been one of the most explosive and electric players in the NFL since being drafted in 2018 by the Baltimore Ravens. The league MVP in 2019, Jackson’s ability to score through the air or with his legs has made him one of the NFL’s most lethal weapons.

Jackson has dozens of rookie cards from the 2018 season, so use the Sports Card Investor guide to see which ones we think you should focus on. Cards are broken down into tiers, ranging from the most affordable and more popular options to the most unique, expensive and rare.

VALUE ROOKIES:

The Value Tier Includes cards with high print runs or lower-quality cardstock. A good fit for new collectors or those on a limited budget.

Contenders #112: Overall, Contenders is considered a lower-tier product because of the lackluster checklist and cardstock.

It does have fantastic Rookie Ticket Autographs, however, and that’s where you’ll want to find Jackson. Also look for him in the Rookie Ticket Swatches set for a more affordable option. Shop now >

Donruss #317: Considered one of Panini’s flagship brands, Donruss is a great place to start for any collector — new or old. Jackson’s Rated Rookie is a great option for most while the Rookie Phenom Jerseys and Rookie Threads sets are good options to add some memorabilia. Shop now >

POPULAR ROOKIES:

This tier includes cards from the most popular sets across both retail and hobby formats. Typically easy to buy or sell when needed.

Optic #167: A chrome upgrade to Donruss, Optic has an impressive lineup of parallels, including the always-popular Optic Holo. The Rated Rookie is a strong anchor to any Jackson collection while the Downtown insert set provides a great chase. Shop now >

Prizm #212: Another one of Panini’s flagship releases, Prizm is carried by a great lineup of parallels, including the ultra-popular Prizm Silver. Those looking to spend a little more should check out the Patented Penmanship checklist as well as the Rookie Patch Autographs numbered to just 99. Shop now >

Select #70: Built around three levels of rookie cards, you’ll find plenty of Jackson with varying levels of scarcity. The Concourse Level is the best option for most, though Premier Level and Field Level are always fine options. Look for parallels like Zebra or Tye-Dye to round out your collection with a little flair. Shop now >

MORE UNIQUE ROOKIES:

This tier Includes cards with lower print runs, unique designs, or cards from hobby-only products. Usually higher-quality cards than the Value or Popular Tiers, though not necessarily more popular or easier to buy or sell.

Luminance #159: Known for some of the best photography in the hobby, Luminance has a basic design with the name layered over fantastic action shots and a matte finish.

This product does feature Jackson in his Louisville jersey, so it’s a better option for collectors than investors. Either way, the Orange, Platinum Blue or Red parallels are strong additions to most collections. Shop now >

Phoenix #112: Featuring some of Panini’s most unique designs, Phoenix also brings bright colors and slick inserts to the table.

Rising Rookie Material Signatures are a good starting place for auto-memorabilia cards while the RPS lineups of autos and patches are all worth owning. Shop now >

RAREST AND MOST EXCLUSIVE:

We won’t spend much time here because this category is likely out of reach for most collectors due to price, but they are still fun to look at.

Sets like Flawless, Immaculate, and National Treasures typically feature visually stunning designs and low-numbered cards.

This is also where you’ll find the most impressive patches paired with high-quality on-card autographs. Don’t worry if this tier is too pricey as there’s plenty of options in other categories that could be perfect for your collection.

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