Below are our top football rookie card picks from the 2023 Score Football set. We feel the cards below have the best chance of bringing in the highest ROI.
Pro-Tip: Check out Prizm, Bowman, & Topps Rookie Cards that could double in value this year!
Please note the player’s base rookie card with a PSA 10 grade will be our ideal purchase. The player’s base rookie card with auto or parallel is also a perfect purchase. If you cannot find a PSA 10 grade, purchase an ungraded card and send it to PSA.
A word about the 2023 Score Football Hobby Box
Updated 12/14/2023: The 2023 Score Football hobby box has an average of 4 Autos, 36 Inserts, 10 Parallels, and 90 RCs per box break.
- Release Date: August 2, 2023
- Hobby Box Contents: 40 cards per pack, 10 packs per box, 12 boxes per case
- New in 2023: Each Hobby case should have one base or rookie die-cut card and one lenticular insert.
- Overall Nerd Score: 8.10 out of 10
The set was released on 8/2/2023 and has been one of the best-selling hobby boxes on eBay ever since. The 2023 Score Football hobby box contains 10 cards per box, 40 cards per pack, and 12 boxes per case.
Each hobby box averages 90 rookie cards, 4 autographs, 36 inserts, and 10 parallels. Each case contains an average of 1 Base/Rookie Die-Cut.
Top 10 Rookie Cards
Consequently, our picks are based on researching more than a dozen publications, including magazines and blogs.
#1. 2023 C.J. Stroud Score RC #302 QB Houston Texans
Stroud has already been named the Houston Texans’ Week 1 starter against the Ravens, but has now been named team captain?
Whoa!
That’s some serious progress for the former Ohio State star. The Texans don’t have the best history of developing rookies, but one cannot deny Stroud’s work ethic and natural abilities. His card displays him escaping from the pocket while looking to rush the rock downfield.
#2. 2023 Bijan Robinson Score RC #315 RB Atlanta Falcons
Firstly, Robinson is a big-time back, and many experts predict his impact to be similar to Saquon Barkley in 2018. His Score rookie card captures him running mightly downfield in the Texas Longhorns’ burnt orange jersey.
#3. 2023 Jordan Addison Score RC #346 WR Minnesota Vikings
Addison should be a solid number two wideout for Cousins and the Vikings in 2023 with the ability to rise to number one long-term. His Score rookie card pictures the former Trojan running the pigskin over the goalline for 6 points.
#4. 2023 Jahmyr Gibbs Score RC #316 RB Detroit Lions
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Gibbs is a great pass-catching running back but will most likely lose goal-line touchdowns to David Montgomery. His rookie card shows him running for his life downfield donning the Crimson jersey with white pants.
#5. 2023 Anthony Richardson RC Score #304 QB Indianapolis Colts
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Richardson has the potential to become the best rushing quarterback in just his first year which would translate into a lot of press coverage for the talented QB. Anthony Richardson’s pairing with Shane Steichen in Indianapolis is just what the doctor ordered and he could become an immediate star rookie. His rookie card captures him rolling out while looking for an open wide-out or tight end.
#6. 2023 Zay Flowers RC Score #351 WR Baltimore Ravens
Flowers is already emerging as a number-one wideout in Baltimore due to his superior pre-season performance as local reports have called him “unstoppable”. His Panini Score rookie card is numbered 351 and shows him stretching the ball out for extra yards.
#7. 2023 Quentin Johnston RC Score #345 WR Los Angeles Charges
Ranking Johnston at number 6 is based on his future performance and not so much on 2023. Quentin has the ability to be an elite wideout but has a number of talented receivers ahead of him on the depth charts in 2023.
#8. 2023 Jaxon Smith-Njigba Score RC #348 WR Seattle Seahawks
Jaxon had one of the best pre-seasons of all the players on this list. The only negative was needing surgery for a crack in his wrist. Initially the Seahawks thought he would miss the first couple weeks of the regular season, not so fast! Reports have him playing in week one. His Score rookie card is numbered #348 and shows him blazing downfield in search of the end zone.
#9. 2023 Bryce Young Score RC #301 QB Carolina Panthers
Many pundits have Young as their favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Initially, I don’t disagree, but Stroud performance to date combined with Young’s lack of overall production has forced me off that position.
It appears Young will have a tough go on a subpar Carolina offensive line that ranks 16th according to PFF.com unless something changes quickly.
His rookie card shows him in the process of passing the football; it is not the best action shot of the bunch here.
#10. 2023 Dalton Kincaid Score RC #338 TE Buffalo Bills
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Pro Football Focus (PFF) has predicted a 1000-yard-plus season for Mr. Kincaid. If that comes to pass, he will win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, which translates into a massive ROI for those who purchase Kincaid’s Score rookie card.
Shop our top 2023 Score rookie card picks on eBay
Conclusion
Purchasing a first-year player’s rookie card is an obvious risk as the player is unproven. Buyers cannot ignore the potential upside of rookie cards, as those who invested in Garrett Wilson before the 2022 season can attest.
I recommend picking one or two players/cards from the above list and having fun watching that player every Sunday in the fall!
My pick? Obviously, Bijan Robinson #315 RC (SHOP EBAY) I have purchased over two dozen of his base rookie cards currently being processed for grading.