Introduction
With Thanksgiving week in the rearview mirror and collectors gearing up for a strong finish to the year, the sports card market is heating up at the perfect time. Football, basketball, and baseball all make appearances in this week’s Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week by Sports Card Investor, but one young quarterback stands above the rest, and if you guessed Drake Maye, you were right.
As the year winds down, market activity continues to surge as collectors position themselves ahead of year-end spikes, early baseball speculation, and NFL playoff momentum. From explosive rookie performances to veterans dominating their positions, the market is loaded with upward movement, and these five players are leading the charge.
Sports Card Market Pulse
According to Market Movers, 2025 remains one of the strongest sports card years on record:
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SEI 500 Index (30 Days): Flat but stable
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Year-to-Date: Up nearly 30%
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Trend Outlook: Strong finish expected for 2025, with January historically one of the hottest months in the hobby
Unless something unexpected disrupts momentum, the market is on pace to close the year in exceptional territory, positioning 2026 to start even stronger.
Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week
Below are the five hottest risers across the sports card landscape based on performance, demand, and recent sales data.
#5. Nate George
Baltimore’s 16th-round sleeper pick is no longer a secret. Nate George exploded in 2025 with a .337 average, 50 stolen bases, and elite bat-to-ball skills that earned him the Orioles Minor League Player of the Year. With baseball speculation season officially underway, his cards are beginning their climb.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2025 Bowman Chrome Purple Refractor Auto /250 (Raw): ▲ 6% now at $90
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2025 Bowman Chrome Refractor Auto /499 (Raw): ▲ from $70 → $105
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2025 Bowman Chrome Purple Shimmer Refractor /250 (Raw): ▲ from $5 → $13
Collectors are moving early on prospects expected to crack MLB rosters, and George is firmly in that group.
#4. Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett is putting together one of the most dominant defensive seasons in NFL history. With 19 sacks and a monstrous five-sack game in Week 8, he’s established himself as a generational force, and collectors are responding.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2017 Optic Holo Rookie (Raw): ▲ from $25 → $55
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2017 Optic Pink Rookie (Raw): ▲ from $12 → $25
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2017 Prizm Silver Rookie (Raw): ▲ from $30 → $75
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2024 Optic Sunday Kings (Raw): ▲ from $36 → $60
Garrett’s lack of early-career Kabooms and downtowns makes his rookie parallels even more desirable.
#3. Luther Burden III
One of the biggest surprises of 2025 has been the Chicago Bears now leading the NFC, thanks in part to rookie wideout Luther Burden III. With 13 catches for 157 yards over his last four games, Burden is becoming a reliable weapon in a surging offense.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2025 Absolute Kaboom (Raw): ▲ from $370 → $420
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2025 Mosaic Kaleidoscopic (Raw): ▲ from $40 → $50–$60
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2025 Mosaic Stained Glass (Raw): ▲ from $61 → $100
As the Bears continue to shock the league, Burden is one of the biggest hobby beneficiaries.
#2. Reed Sheppard
Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets is quickly becoming a premier rookie name to watch. Averaging 14.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, and shooting nearly 49%, he’s delivered multiple breakout nights with 27- and 31-point performances. That kind of firepower is sending his cards soaring.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2024 Optic Rated Rookie Signatures (Raw): ▲ from $36 → $55
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2024 Optic Downtown (Raw): ▲ from $1,100 → 1,200
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2024 Optic Net Marvels Red /99 (Raw): ▲ from $10 → $30
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2024 Prizm Silver (PSA 10): ▲ from $164 → $225
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2024 Prizm Silver (PSA 9): ▲ from $12 → $25
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2024 Prizm Silver (Raw): ▲ from $8 → $16
Every format, Raw, PSA 9, and PSA 10, is moving up sharply. That’s a sign of broad collector demand.
#1. Drake Maye
The hottest young quarterback in football right now is Drake Maye, and his performance has fueled a massive card market surge. With back-to-back strong outings, 294 yards vs. Cincinnati and 282 yards with 2 TDs vs. New York, he’s spearheading the Patriots’ turnaround and has quickly become one of the most sought-after names in the hobby.
Card Market Highlights (Last 30 Days):
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2024 Donruss Downtown (Raw): ▲ 37% from $700 → $950
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2024 Optic Holo (Raw): ▲ from $35–$45 → 62
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2024 Prizm Silver (PSA 10): ▲ from below $1,000 → nearly $1,500
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2024 Prizm Silver (Raw): ▲ from $131 → $226
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2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto (Raw): ▲ from $228 → $498
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2025 Absolute Kaboom Vertical (Raw): ▲ from $3,000 → $3,951
When collectors go hunting for the next star quarterback, price spikes like these follow, and Maye is the current king of the market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What drives sports card prices the most?
Performance, scarcity, collector demand, and timing (such as preseason, playoffs, or draft cycles) have the biggest impact.
2. Are rookie cards always the best to buy?
Generally yes, rookie cards, especially rare parallels and PSA 10s, hold the best long-term value.
3. Why do football cards spike so sharply?
NFL performance is highly visible, and quarterbacks in particular influence market movement more than any other athlete type.
4. When does baseball speculation usually begin?
Right now, late November through February is prime time for prospect buying before spring training.
5. Is it risky to buy during a player’s breakout?
Yes. Prices often peak during hype cycles, so long-term analysis is important before making big purchases.
Conclusion
This week’s Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week features standout performers across three major sports, but it’s the young quarterback Drake Maye who commands the top spot. As football enters its playoff push, basketball rookies settle into their roles, and baseball prospecting season begins, the market is showing strength, diversity, and momentum heading into year-end.
With the sports card market up nearly 30% in 2025 and January historically delivering major gains, collectors have plenty to look forward to. Whether you're buying, selling, or tracking trends, the athletes on this week’s list are shaping the hobby right now, and their markets likely have more room to run.
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