Top 15 Football Cards to Buy in 2025
Add these football players to your collection before the football season ends.
The 2025 football season is winding down, and the playoffs are just a few weeks away. Some young players have taken huge steps forward in 2025, making their rookie cards a necessary addition to your collection. There are also a few veterans and legends on the list who are always worth collecting. Here are the 15 best football cards to buy right now.
The Best Football Cards to Buy Right Now: Quarterbacks
Drake Maye: 2024 Rookie
Drake Maye has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season. The second-year quarterback has thrown for more than 3,400 yards and has the third-best passer rating through 13 games in 2025. According to Alt’s market trends, Maye has been the biggest riser among football players in the last 30 days. His rookie cards, found in 2024 Panini products, are some of the best football cards to buy right now.
Dak Prescott: 2016 Rookie
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is another player seeing big movement on his cards in 2025. Through 13 games, he leads all quarterbacks with more than 3,600 yards and has the best QBR. His rookie cards are found in 2016 Panini products.
Bo Nix: 2024 Rookie
NFL history is within reach for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. He just tied Dan Marino for fifth-most QB wins in a player’s first season, and a win this Sunday would tie him with Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, and Dak Prescott for second-most wins. Russell Wilson holds the NFL record with 24 wins in his first two seasons, and Nix can break that record if he and the Broncos win out. Some of his cards are currently among the most-watched football cards on eBay. Nix’s rookie cards are in 2024 Panini products.
Shedeur Sanders: 2025 Rookie
As the son of Deion Sanders, Shedeur has the hobby’s attention thanks to name recognition despite all the draft drama and starting the season on the bench. Sanders made his NFL debut in Week 11, and his breakout game came in Week 14 when he threw for 364 yards and 3 touchdowns. His rookie cards are found in 2025 Panini products.
Matthew Stafford: 2009 Rookie
Matthew Stafford is another veteran putting up big numbers in 2025, boosting his stock in the hobby. He’s thrown for more than 3,300 yards and leads all quarterbacks with 35 touchdowns in 2025. Stafford’s rookie cards are found in a variety of 2009 products, including Topps, Panini, and Upper Deck releases.
Jordan Love: 2020 Rookie
The 2020 rookie class is loaded with top quarterbacks, including Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jordan Love. Love is currently having the best season of them all, having thrown for more than 3,000 yards with the second-best passer rating in 2025. You can find his rookie cards in 2020 Panini products.
Patrick Mahomes: 2017 Rookie
Patrick Mahomes is always a hot name in the hobby, and that hasn’t changed in 2025. Despite a disappointing season for the Chiefs, Mahomes is still one of the best quarterbacks in football. Through 13 games, he’s thrown for nearly 3,400 yards and has the fourth-best QBR. You’re not going to find a bargain on Mahomes’ rookie cards, but he’s a must-add for all collectors. You can find his rookie cards in 2017 Panini products.
Tom Brady: 2000 Rookie
As the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady is another player who should be in everyone’s collection. He won 7 Super Bowls, holds countless records, and will be a first ballot Hall of Famer when he’s eligible for induction in 2028. Brady’s rookie cards are in a variety of 2000 releases, including Bowman, Upper Deck, Leaf, Donruss, and Skybox. Brady’s cards remain some of the best football cards to buy right now.
Top Football Cards to Collect Right Now: Receivers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 2023 Rookie
Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads all receivers with more than 1,400 yards through 13 games. He’s also the only receiver averaging more than 100 yards per game. According to Alt’s market trends, he’s a top-three riser among all football players. Smith-Njigba’s rookie cards, found in 2023 Panini products, are some of the best football cards to buy right now.
Puka Nacua: 2023 Rookie
Rams receiver Puka Nacua is approaching 1,200 receiving yards through 12 games in 2025, the second-most in football. He had a big game in Week 14 and remains a popular player for collectors. Nacua’s rookie cards are in 2023 Panini products.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 2021 Rookie
Amon-Ra St. Brown seems to have avoided a serious ankle injury and will look to break the 1,000-yard receiving mark in Week 15. His 9 touchdowns in 2025 trail only Davante Adams. You can find St. Brown’s rookie cards in 2021 Panini products.
Tetairoa McMillan: 2025 Rookie
ESPN recently named Tetairoa McMillan the second-best rookie in 2025. He has 6 touchdowns and more than 800 yards in 13 games, making him a popular rookie for football card collectors. McMillan’s rookie cards are in 2025 Panini products.
Football Cards to Collect Right Now: Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor: 2020 Rookie
Jonathan Taylor is another player from the loaded 2020 rookie class. He currently leads the league in yards, touchdowns, first downs, and yards per game. The Colts running back is another popular player in the hobby whose value is increasing. Look for his rookie cards in 2020 Panini releases.
James Cook: 2022 Rookie
Bills running back James Cook has just over 1,300 rushing yards, second-most in the NFL this season. Along with Jonathan Taylor, he’s the only other running back averaging more than 100 yards per game. Cook is gaining popularity among collectors recently. His rookie cards are in 2022 Panini products.
Christian McCaffrey: 2017 Rookie
Christian McCaffrey has always been a popular player among football collectors, and his card value is also rising according to Alt’s market trends. When healthy, he’s one of the best running backs in football. His rookie cards, found in 2017 Panini products, are some of the best football cards to buy.
Add to Your Football Card Collection Today
These 15 players are some of the best football cards to buy right now. Are you ready to add these players to your collection? For these and other popular football cards, check out the AA Mint Cards online store today!
