Is anyone out there besides me not looking forward to this year’s NFL draft class. Has there ever been so little buzz about an upcoming draft than the 2011 Draft? This one is going to be a heavy linemen and linebacker class, which we all know leads to zero value in cards.
Of the premiere positions (QB, RB, and WR) there are only eight of the top 32 players slated to be taken in the first round. Of the 8, it breaks down to 4 QBs, 2 RBs and 2 WRs. Of the four quarterbacks only Cam Newton and Jake Locker are considered the hottest. Of the two running backs, only Mark Ingram has impressed. The two wide receivers shouldn’t have come out early (Green and Jones), as both will need at least a year to impress at the next level.
So essentially the draft is swimming with lots of linemen, corners and linebackers. We all know how well those cards go for in the long term (slowly rotate thumbs up to thumbs down). So I ask you is Blaine Gabbert (the top QB in the draft) marketable? What about AJ Green? Cam Newton may not even play quarterback at the next level.
Sadly the only real marketable people in the draft are Jake Locker, Mark Ingram, Cam Newton and Ryan Mallet. The only players that would even be worth investing in from a card standpoint would be Locker and Ingram. I’m just thinking that this could very well be the weakest draft in the past decade with respect to the card world.
Although Topps will need to get the rookie included sets out early to capitalize on the draft buzz, their best sets probably won’t be until mid to late season, when we find out who will blossom to become Offensive Rookie of the Year. The nice thing is that because of the “down” prices that should be expected with this bad of a draft class, there might be the next Chris Ivory or LaGarrett Blount out there that could be had for pennies on the dollar.
So what do you think? Are you excited about this year’s NFL rookie class? Will you be “investing” in any of this year’s crop of rookies? Who do you think will emerge as a viable rookie of the year candidate?
I think you are selling AJ Green way too short. Some analysts are saying he is the best wide receiver prospect sine Calvin Johnson. I think Carolina might (and probably should) take him #1, if not he won’t slip past #5 at the latest.
Ingram…. Honestly thats it, the QB’s, could be a Flacco or 2, most likely Ryan Leaf, and Akili Smith, but, will I buy certified autos of my NY Giants, of course, outside of Ingram, aaahhhh NO!!!
I watched AJ Green this year in a couple of Georgia’s games, and even had him on my CFFB roster, so I kept an eye on him. He reminds me of what Crabtree did at Texas Tech. Catches everything, creates matchup problems, huge upside. But if he gets into the wrong offensive system (Re: SF) then he won’t matter much. And he already has yellow flags on him because of the off the field stuff. If Carolina takes him #1, who is going to throw him the ball? Clausen?
The reason the draft class sucks is cause there will not be any NFL season next year. LOCKOUT
Nothing in this draft class for me. Can’t wait to nab me some Michael Floyd autos next year.
This will be a seriously boring rookie class as far as the card hobby is concerned.
I wonder what the over / under will be on the number of different football product packs Cam Newton’s face will be on this year?
22? 14? 103?