2016 Q4 Panini NFL/NFLPA Trading Card Index – Panini America, the exclusive trading card manufacturer of the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA), in conjunction with NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, unveiled the fourth edition of the NFLPA Trading Card Index. This is a quarterly report ranking the top-performing football players in the licensed trading card industry.
2016 Q4 Panini NFL/NFLPA Trading Card Index – The Index Explained
Once a quarter, the NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index ranks the top 15 rookies and top 15 veterans based on several key factors, including secondary-market transactions, overall trading volume and collectability based on on-field performance and expectations (e.g., rookie hype and collector speculation).
The fourth NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index, listed in its entirety below, includes updated rankings for both rookies and veterans based on late regular-season and early postseason performances. The newest Index rankings are based on secondary-market transactions and trading volume that took place during the fourth quarter of 2016.
2016 Q4 Panini NFL/NFLPA Trading Card Index – Q4 Results
The Dallas Cowboys dominate the rookie rankings this quarter thanks to the tremendous first seasons turned in by quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, who rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The Kansas City Chiefs’ dynamic Tyreek Hill makes his NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index debut at No. 3, a testament to his meteoric rise in popularity. Hill is one of five rookies making their Index debuts, joining Jordan Howard (Chicago Bears), Robert Kelley (Washington Redskins), Malcolm Mitchell (New England Patriots) and Paul Perkins (New York Giants).
On the veteran side, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tops the rankings for the third consecutive time and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is ranked No. 2 once again this quarter.
But a bevy of veteran stars make their Index debut this time, including Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (No. 3), Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (No. 5), Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (No. 6), Packers receiver Jordy Nelson (No. 9) and Patriots receiver Julian Edelman (No. 10).
“I’m, of course, honored to be on any list that includes the likes of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers,” said Bell, who helped the Steelers reach the AFC Championship Game. “I remember being excited to get my first Rookie Cards, but fast-forward a few seasons and it’s equally exciting to see that collectors are appreciating what we’ve got going on in Pittsburgh.”
“In the world of football-card collecting, late-season surges and playoff successes have a huge impact on a player’s overall popularity in the collectibles arena – and you’re seeing that play out in this Q4 NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index,” said Jason Howarth, Panini America’s Vice President of Marketing. “Regardless of whether you’re a veteran or a rookie, if you perform when the spotlight is the biggest and as the games become more important, your trading cards will be dramatically impacted.”
Notable fourth-quarter sales driving rookie rankings include a Prescott 2016 Prizm Football Rookie Autograph Black 1/1 that sold for $3,200 and a Prescott 2016 Donruss Optic Football Rated Rookie Gold out of 10 that sold for $2,950. On the veteran side, a Brady 2000 Contenders Football Rookie Ticket Autograph sold for $10,201 and a Rodgers 2005 Contenders Football Rookie Ticket Autograph that sold for $2,043.
The next NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index will be the first to incorporate 2017 rookies and will be published in April (capturing early pre-Draft speculation and a complete recap of Super Bowl LI).
The 2016 NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index: Rookies (4Q); previous ranking in parentheses
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (Previous Rank: 2)
- Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (Previous Rank: 3)
- Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs (Previous Rank: NA)
- Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (Previous Rank: 1)
- Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears (Previous Rank: NA)
- Sterling Shepard, New York Giants (Previous Rank: 5)
- Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints (Previous Rank: 8)
- Joey Bosa, San Diego Chargers (Previous Rank: NA)
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans (Previous Rank: 6)
- Kenneth Dixon, Baltimore Ravens (Previous Rank 14)
- Robert Kelley, Washington Redskins (Previous Rank NA)
- Malcolm Mitchell, New England Patriots (Previous Rank: NA)
- Paul Perkins, New York Giants (Previous Rank: NA)
- Will Fuller V, Houston Texans (Previous Rank: 4)
- Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (Previous Rank: 12)
The 2016 NFLPA Panini Trading Card Index: Veterans (4Q); previous ranking in parentheses
- Tom Brady, New England Patriots (Previous Rank: 1)
- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (Previous Rank: 2)
- Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Rank: NA)
- Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons (Previous Rank: 12)
- Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (Previous Rank: NA)
- David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (Previous Rank: NA)
- Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Rank: 4)
- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks (Previous Rank: 7)
- Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers (Previous Rank: NA)
- Julian Edelman, New England Patriots (Previous Rank: NA)
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (Previous Rank: 11)
- Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants (Previous Rank: 10)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Previous Rank: NA)
- Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (Previous Rank: NA)
- Jay Ajayi, Miami Dolphins (Previous Rank: NA)
2016 Q4 Panini NFL/NFLPA Trading Card Index
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