C.J. Stroud, the highly-touted quarterback and second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has made an impressive impact in his early NFL career with the Houston Texans. This has sparked a surge of interest in Stroud’s rookie cards among collectors and fans. As a former Ohio State Buckeye, his transition to the NFL was eagerly anticipated, and he has certainly lived up to expectations on the field.
Multiple C.J. Stroud rookie cards are available, spanning various popular sets and series. Here are some of the top cards for collectors to consider:
1. 2023 Donruss Rated Rookie C.J. Stroud RC #339:
An affordable option from the 2023 Donruss Football set, this card is a favorite among collectors. It features various parallels and even offers an Optic Preview card. The Downtown insert from this set is particularly sought-after for its rarity and high value.
2. 2023 Donruss Elite C.J. Stroud RC #112 (#/999):
While not as attention-grabbing as other options, this card from Donruss Elite provides a solid rookie card. The base version is limited to just 999 copies, and there are several rarer parallels to seek out as well.
3. 2023 Panini Black C.J. Stroud RC #154:
This card is a more elusive choice due to the limited number of cards per box in Panini Black Football. Stroud’s card is part of a set that includes just five cards per box, with three typically being autographs or relics.
4. 2023 Panini Gold Standard C.J. Stroud RC #112 (#/99):
In the Gold Standard set, Stroud’s rookie card is limited to a mere 99 copies. There are also other numbered editions available, such as Platinum. Additionally, the set includes rare inserts like Double Eagle and El Dorado.
5. 2023 Panini Mosaic C.J. Stroud RC #292:
A popular choice across all budget ranges, Panini Mosaic Football offers high-end parallels and key inserts for Stroud. Among them are the sought-after Kaleidoscope and Stained Glass inserts.
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 determined to add Stroud’s cards to their collections.
As for autographed cards, while there is a notable absence of pack-pulled autographs featuring Stroud in his Texans jersey, there are several collegiate/prospect autograph cards available from different manufacturers, including Bowman/Topps, Panini, and Leaf.
One licensed NFL autograph card that collectors can pursue 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, while lacking NFL licensing, features an on-card autograph from Stroud based on his NFL Draft night appearance.
As more 2023 Football Cards are released throughout the year, collectors can expect to find even more options for adding C.J. Stroud rookie cards to their collections. Whether you’re seeking mainstream, affordable options or rare, high-value inserts and autographs, the range of C.J. Stroud rookie cards provides something for every collector and fan of this rising NFL star.
