C.J. Stroud, the impressive quarterback of his class and second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has made waves in his early NFL career with the Houston Texans. This has sparked immense interest in Stroud’s rookie cards among collectors and fans alike. As a former Ohio State Buckeye, his transition to the NFL was highly anticipated, and Stroud has undoubtedly lived up to expectations. This has led to a surge in demand for his rookie cards.
There is a wide variety of C.J. Stroud rookie cards available, covering various popular sets and series. Here are some of the top options for collectors to consider:
1. 2023 Donruss Rated Rookie C.J. Stroud RC #339: This card is an affordable choice from the 2023 Donruss Football set. It is a favorite among many collectors and offers various parallels, as well as an Optic Preview card. Collectors especially seek out the rare Downtown insert from this set due to its scarcity and high value.
2. 2023 Donruss Elite C.J. Stroud RC #112 (#/999): While not as flashy as some other options, this Donruss Elite card provides a solid rookie card. The base version is limited to just 999 copies, and there are also several rarer parallels available.
3. 2023 Panini Black C.J. Stroud RC #154: This card is more elusive due to the limited number of cards per box in Panini Black Football. Stroud’s card is part of a set that typically contains only five cards per box, three of which are usually autographs or relics.
4. 2023 Panini Gold Standard C.J. Stroud RC #112 (#/99): In Gold Standard, Stroud’s rookie card is limited to just 99 copies. The set also includes other numbered editions such as Platinum. Rare inserts like Double Eagle and El Dorado can also be found in this set.
5. 2023 Panini Mosaic C.J. Stroud RC #292: Panini Mosaic Football is a popular choice across all budgets. It offers high-end parallels and key inserts for Stroud, including Kaleidoscope and Stained Glass.
6. 2023 Panini Plates & Patches C.J. Stroud RC #163: This set presents a challenge for collectors due to the scarcity of base cards. However, it remains a valuable addition for those seeking Stroud’s cards.
When it comes to autographed cards, there is a notable absence of pack-pulled autographs featuring Stroud in his Texans jersey. However, collectors can still find several collegiate/prospect autograph cards from different manufacturers, including Bowman/Topps, Panini, and Leaf.
One licensed NFL autograph card featuring Stroud is the 2023 Panini Instant RPS First Look Autographs C.J. Stroud #42 (#/391). This early release from Panini offered direct-to-consumer autographs in limited quantities. Additionally, the 2023 Topps Now Draft Football card, though lacking NFL licensing, features an on-card autograph from Stroud based on his NFL Draft night appearance.
As the year progresses, more 2023 Football Cards will be released, including popular brands. Collectors can expect to find even more options for adding C.J. Stroud rookie cards to their collections. Whether seeking mainstream, inexpensive options or rare, high-value inserts and autographs, the range of C.J. Stroud rookie cards offers something for every collector and fan of this rising NFL star.
