The Philadelphia Eagles shocked the NFL world after selecting quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft. Many fans were up in arms over the pick then, especially after then-Eagles starting QB Carson Wentz recently led the Birds to a playoff berth and signed a $128 million contract extension a year before. But it ended up becoming one of the greatest Eagles’ draft picks of all time. After Wentz flamed out, Hurts became the franchise quarterback, leading them to the playoffs twice, including a Super Bowl appearance. Because of his booming popularity, Hurts’ football cards have skyrocketed on the market. To help collectors, StudyFinds has compiled a list of the top five best Jalen Hurts cards every collector needs of the Eagles quarterback.
Hurts’ football career has been a roller coaster ride since college. After leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to the 2017 National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers, head coach Nick Saban benched Hurts after being down 13-0 at halftime for Tua Tagovailoa, who ended up leading Alabama to a come-from-behind win to capture the national championship. Hurts backed up Tagovailoa for the 2018 season before transferring to the University of Oklahoma for his senior season in 2019. That year, he led the Sooners to the College Football Playoffs and finished second in the Heisman Trophy.
After being selected by the Eagles in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hurts was relegated to backup duties before Wentz was benched during the Week 13 game against the Green Bay Packers. He would then start for the Eagles for the rest of the season, which led to Wentz being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason. Since then, Hurts has been QB1 for the Birds, leading the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance against the Kansas City Chiefs and finishing second in MVP voting in 2022.
How are football cards graded?
Think of a pristine Hurts rookie card, fresh from the pack, corners sharp as laser beams, centering so precise it could be measured with a compass. Now picture another card, perhaps slightly off-center, with a whisper of edge wear. The difference in these cards’ value can be a touchdown, and that’s where grading comes in.
Grading companies like PSA, Beckett (BGS), and SGC meticulously evaluate cards based on four key factors:
- Centering:Â How well the image is positioned on the card.
- Corners: Any nicks, chips, or rounding on the corners.
- Edges: Any dents, scratches, or fraying along the card’s edges.
- Surface: Any blemishes, printing defects, or marks on the card’s front or back.
Each factor receives a numerical score (typically from 1 to 10), with 10 representing a virtually flawless card and 1 indicating significant damage. The overall grade is then determined by the lowest individual score.
A high grade, especially for a sought-after Hurts rookie like his 2020 Panini Prizm Draft Kings #218, can transform its value from a field goal to a Hail Mary touchdown. For instance, a PSA Gem Mint 10 Hurts rookie recently sold for over $50,000!
But don’t fumble if you can’t afford a gem-mint masterpiece. Even lower grades can hold significant value, especially for rarer cards or limited-edition sets. Remember, a well-graded Hurts card, regardless of the number, is still a tangible piece of his rising stardom.
Hurts Grading Gameplan for Collectors:
- Huddle with reputable grading companies. PSA, BGS, and SGC are industry leaders, ensuring your card’s value is recognized by collectors and potential buyers.
- Scouting Report: Research before you buy. Understand the market value of different Hurts cards at various grades.
- Investing in the Future: Consider the investment potential. A high-grade Hurts rookie could be a valuable asset for years to come.
Are you ready to add some Hurts cards to your collection? StudyFinds has put together the top five best Jalen Hurts cards that collectors have recommended most across eight sources. Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Jalen Hurts Cards, According to Collectors
1. 2020 Prizm #343 Rookie Card
Topping the list for best Jalen Hurts cards is his 2020 Prizm #343 rookie card due to its multiple parallels. According to Beckett, there are over three dozen parallels of Hurts’ Prizm rookie card. “Due to its popularity and the frequency of its sales, data for a player’s Prizm rookie card is typically a very reliable indicator of how that player is viewed by the general public. Given Hurts’ meteoric rise to a Super Bowl level quarterback, it’s no surprise that we’ve seen his 2020 Panini Prizm #343 Jalen Hurts card nearly double in value over the last calendar year,” writes Cardbase. “Its most popular (by far) parallel is the Silver. Even though it’s not numbered, it is still beloved by collectors, and it outperforms many of the more exclusive colors. Prizm Silvers typically sell for more than 5-10x the amount of their base counterpart.”
This card is a hot commodity among collectors. The Cardboard Connection writes, “At the end of the day, collectors have their own preferences among the various Optichrome releases. The Jalen Hurts rookie card in 2020 Prizm Football tends to be one of the most popular. Make no mistake, the base Prizm is very plentiful. For something a bit less common, take a look at the black-and-white image variation. Naturally, there are many parallels to chase.”
2. 2020 Mosaic #222 Rookie Card
Second on the list is Hurts’ 2020 Mosaic #222 rookie card. There are many different striking variations of this card, from green reactive to silver. “We have said it once, and we will repeat it the 2020 Panini Mosaic football cards are nice-looking cards (some may disagree) and, in particular, the high-end parallels,” writes Gold Card Auctions. “Note: We hope Panini continues to produce Mosaic cards for years to come as long as they keep up the modern style look to the card tradition. Numbered #222, the card shows Jalen standing tall in the pocket, looking downfield for an open wide receiver. His name and team name are smashed in the bottom right, while the Mosaic graphic is placed in the top left (the Mosaic graphic is a fire, in our opinion).”
While you can’t go wrong with any of the different colors, “the Silver is the one I’m recommending because there are enough of them for serious collectors to get one (325 graded as PSA 10s at the time of writing), and also attractive enough to catch eyes of the collectors who chase Optic holos and Prizm silvers,” says CardLines.com. “The Mosaic Silver rookie card is one of the rarest non-numbered rookie cards from Mosaic (not, this is different than the ‘mosaic’ version of this same card). It’s a great-looking card and from Mosaics’ inaugural season.”
Sports Card Investor notes, “Originally an online-only product, Mosaic made its full debut with basketball in 2020 to extreme success. The football launch came shortly after, and Mosaic has quickly become one of the more popular, yet affordable, options in the hobby. Filled with an impressive lineup of parallels, Mosaic is one of the top products for rainbow chasers.”
3. 2020 Immaculate Collection Auto Patch #107 /99 Rookie Card
The first autograph card to show up on the list is Hurts’ 2020 Immaculate Collection Auto Patch #107 /99 rookie card. “This prestigious card, featuring the sought-after NFL Shield RPA insert, carries the pinnacle of exclusivity with a 1/1 serial number,” says Graded Card Investor. “Though its grade sits at a PSA 8, reflecting a card that isn’t quite perfect but still in commendable shape, its scarcity and special insert catapult its appeal and value among collectors and investors.”
What makes this card so special? “Immaculate rookie cards are among the highest end options but somewhat underrated compared to the attention paid to other, more popular issues. This card offers a beautiful design featuring The Eagles bold colors and an on card autograph which is placed at the top of the card as well as a jersey swatch featured in the center of the card,” writes Sports Collectors Daily. “This is a very attractive option for a collector or investor with deeper pockets, but depending on the quality of the patch, you can still find them for much less than the other 2020 draft standouts as of now.”
Cardbase calls this specific card a “popular RPA [rookie patch autograph] with an acetate finish.” “Immaculate has been one of the most consistent releases among high-end cards over the past decade, known primarily for its memorabilia hits. While the card looks like a standard patch auto card for the most part, it does have a unique placement for the auto: the upper left corner. This Jalen Hurts rookie card is also finished in acetate and printed on thicker stock than a normal card.”
4. 2020 Panini National Treasures Auto Patch #161 /99 Rookie Card
The second autograph card to make the top five list is Hurts’ 2020 Panini National Treasures Auto Patch #161 /99 rookie card. “National Treasures reputation and legacy are without rival in the high-end sports cards world, and no Jalen Hurts rookie cards list would be complete without his National Treasure RPA,” writes Cardbase. “The card itself is a pretty standard RPA – a large swatch for the patch in the center of the card, with an on card auto on the bottom. The print run is short (/99), but not as small as other RPA’s on this list. But what sets the National Treasure’s card apart is the name that collectors have come to love.”
If you can afford it, go for it. “2020 National Treasures NFL is another place to acquire a top RPA, with some of the highest prices among Hurts’ rookies. If money is no concern, this is considered by many to be the top Jalen Hurts rookie card,” says The Cardboard Connection.
Graded Card Investor calls it the “pinnacle” of Hurts’ rookie cards. “Gracing our #1 spot is the 2020 National Treasures edition, a card that reverberates with exclusivity and exquisite design. Adorned with the stellar Red Brand Logo parallel and holding a scarce serial number of 2/2, this piece is as elusive as it is beautiful.”
5. 2020 Donruss Optic #164 Rookie Card
Rounding out the list is Hurts’ 2020 Donruss Optic #164 rookie card. “One of several notable chromium options, many collectors turn to the Jalen Hurts Rated Rookie card from 2020 Donruss Optic Football. While the base version provides a good entry point, the parallels offer more choices in terms of value and scarcity,” says The Cardboard Connection.
What to expect: “Numbered #164, the card shows Hurts on the run while looking downfield for an open wideout, tight end, or running back out of the backfield,” writes Gold Card Auctions. “His name if offset above the team name towards the bottom of the card… the classic Rated Rookie logo says hello in the top left corner.”
This is yet another competitive card to have in your collection. CardLines.com notes, “The Donruss Optic Rated Rookie captures the ageless design of the Donruss Rated Rookie and adds opti-chrome. The same concerns for the Donruss Rated Rookie hold true for this card – a large population that’s only worth holding with PSA 10s – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth considering as a Top 10 card for this list. Optic is arguably the second most popular product (at least at the mid-tier), so the Hurts rookies are naturally going to be a popular chase.”
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Sources:
- Beckett
- Cardbase
- The Cardboard Connection
- Gold Card Auctions
- CardLines.com
- Sports Card Investor
- Graded Card Investor
- Sports Collectors Daily
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.