Top Justin Herbert Rookie Cards to Collect
Considered one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, Justin Herbert rewarded collectors with a strong rookie season capped off by the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. As a top pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Justin Herbert rookie cards were already seeing a lot of attention and that has only increased.
Following an impressive collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks, Herbert was taken sixth overall by the Los Angeles Chargers. Even with a large group of talented QBs arriving the same year, he quickly emerged as one of the best.
With Panini at the helm, there are many different Justin Herbert rookie cards in licensed NFL and NCAA sets from the 2020 football card season.
In addition to the base, inserts and autographs below, take a look at the most popular Justin Herbert card auctions on eBay at this moment.
Top Justin Herbert Rookie Cards Base / Inserts
Bolded sets go directly to detailed product profiles and checklists. Shop for cards or check completed values using the eBay links.
2020 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Justin Herbert RC #153
One of several shiny Justin Herbert rookie cards that add parallels, 2020 Donruss Optic Football is a top choice thanks to the Optichrome stock and Rated Rookie style. It's also easy to track down.
Herbert's Downtown insert is a key first-year choice, as well.
2020 Panini Absolute Kaboom Justin Herbert RC
While 2020 Absolute NFL has several Justin Herbert cards, the KABOOM! insert tends to be the most valuable (and elusive).
There are actually two very similar versions along with very limited parallels. Card #K-JH1 features a tucked football as Herbert prepares to run.
On the other hand, card #K-JH2 displays Herbert surveying the field as he looks to throw.
2020 Panini Flawless Justin Herbert RC #103 Ruby #/20
Extreme rarity comes with 2020 Flawless Football, as Herbert has several gemstone cards numbered to 20 or less. These cards are encased. Flawless also offers popular on-card autographs.
2020 Panini Mosaic Justin Herbert RC #204
2020 Mosaic NFL is another set that works the Prizm angle without actually being Prizm. Nevertheless, Herbert's Mosaic rookie is a crowd favorite and remains affordable for most.
The image variation offers a college photograph of Herbert.
2020 Panini Prizm Justin Herbert RC #325
Speaking of 2020 Prizm Football, this is arguably the top base rookie card available for Herbert. High-end collectors can chase the low-numbered parallels.
He also has an image variation, which is easy to spot due to the black-and-white photo.
2020 Panini Select Justin Herbert RC #44 (Concourse), #144 (Premier), #244 (Club), #344 (Field)
In 2020 Select NFL, fans can find four different Justin Herbert rookie cards in the massive base set. The rarity increases at each level, but all four offer a variety of parallels.
Those that are fans of the brand can also grab the XRC Rookie Redemption from 2019 Select.
Top Justin Herbert Rookie Cards Autographs
If you want to spend a bit more, signed cards are very in-demand, as well. Naturally, there are many different Justin Herbert rookie card autographs beyond what is covered here.
2020 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Signatures Justin Herbert RC #153 Autograph
Just like the base rookie in 2020 Donruss Optic Football, the on-card rookie autograph makes good use of the Rated Rookie design. Parallels provide more premium action.
2020 Panini Contenders Justin Herbert RC #104 Autograph
Generally considered the best NFL set each year for rookie collectors, the on-card Rookie Ticket line is iconic in the hobby. 2020 Contenders Football has two different options for Herbert: a base autograph and a variation.
Panini revealed that the image variation has 250 copies. In addition to the photo swap for Herbert, the variation card features the Chargers helmet instead of the logo and adds an encircled "V" by the card number on the back.
2020 Panini Contenders Optic Justin Herbert RC Autograph #104
Going with Contenders and an Optichrome finish is possible thanks to 2020 Contenders Optic NFL. The hard-signed card has the same image as the regular Contenders.
2020 Panini Immaculate Collection Justin Herbert RC #103 Auto Patch #/99
Pushing into the premium choices, 2020 Immaculate Football is a high-end delight. The RPA displays a patch piece, on-card autograph and base print run of 99 copies.
2020 Panini National Treasures Justin Herbert RC #158 Auto Patch #/99
Always near the top of the list is National Treasures. While 2020 NT NFL matches the attributes of Immaculate exactly, this Justin Herbert rookie card bests it on brand value. These very expensive cards push into the five-figure range.
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Philip
The Donruss Canvas rookie parallels from last year were great (this year has too many college unis, same for base rated rookies). Herbert’s Canvas RC is arguably more eye-appealing than the base Donruss.