Donruss Optic is widely considered one of the “Big Three” sets in modern football card collecting, sitting right alongside Prizm and Select. Known for its clean design, the iconic “Rated Rookie” logo, and shiny “Holos,” this set is a favorite for investors and casual collectors alike. But with hundreds of players on the checklist, who should you actually be hunting for?

Below is a guide to the top 15 players to collect in Donruss Optic, broken down by market stability and potential upside. We have also included an explanation of prices and odds to help beginners navigate the hobby.

What Makes Donruss Optic Special? (ELI5)

Explain Like I’m 5: Imagine regular baseball or football cards are made of cardboard, like a cereal box. Donruss Optic cards are made using “Optichrome” technology. This means they are printed on a shiny, metal-like finish that reflects light. They feel thicker, look cooler, and hold their value much better than standard paper cards because they are harder to damage and look better in a display case.

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Top 15 Football Players to Collect: Donruss Optic Edition

Note: Prices listed are estimated market averages for Base Rated Rookies or Holos (raw condition) and fluctuate based on player performance. “Odds” refer to the difficulty of pulling a specific parallel version of the card.

Tier 1: The Proven Elite (Safe Long-Term Holds)

1. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)

• Why Collect: He is the current face of the NFL. His 2017 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie is iconic. Collecting Mahomes is like collecting Michael Jordan in the 90s; it is the gold standard for safety and long-term value.
• Estimated Price: $300 – $600+ (depending on the year/parallel). His 2017 Rookie is in the thousands.
• Odds of Finding: Low. Base cards are common in older packs, but finding high-grade Holos is very difficult due to high demand.

2. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)

• Why Collect: Burrow has an incredibly loyal following and high hobby potential due to his ability to lead deep playoff runs. His “Joe Cool” persona makes him a fan favorite.
• Estimated Price: $40 – $150.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate. His cards are widely printed, but collectors hoard them, reducing available supply.

3. Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)

• Why Collect: A fantasy football darling and a perennial MVP candidate. Allen’s cards are volatile but spike massively during the season.
• Estimated Price: $50 – $120.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate to High availability in secondary markets.

4. Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens)

• Why Collect: As a multiple-time MVP winner, Lamar is building a Hall of Fame resume. His cards are often undervalued compared to Mahomes or Burrow, offering a good entry point.
• Estimated Price: $30 – $80.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate.

5. Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings)

• Why Collect: Non-QBs are usually risky, but Jefferson is an outlier. He is arguably the best Wide Receiver in the game, breaking records consistently. His “Rated Rookie” is a staple for WR collectors.
• Estimated Price: $25 – $60.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate.

Tier 2: The New Guard (High Upside)

6. C.J. Stroud (Houston Texans)

• Why Collect: After a historic rookie season, Stroud is the hottest card in the hobby right now. If he continues his trajectory, his Optic cards will skyrocket.
• Estimated Price: $80 – $200 (Premium pricing due to hype).
• Odds of Finding: Very Low in wax packs. Everyone is ripping packs specifically looking for him, making him “short-printed” in terms of market availability.

7. Anthony Richardson (Indianapolis Colts)

• Why Collect: High risk, high reward. He has physical tools like no other QB, but injuries are a concern. If he hits his ceiling, his cards will double in value.
• Estimated Price: $30 – $90.
• Odds of Finding: Low (High demand).

8. Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers)

• Why Collect: “Mr. Irrelevant” turned Super Bowl contender. Because he was a late draft pick, his rookie cards were printed in lower quantities or different sets, making his Optic appearances highly sought after.
• Estimated Price: $40 – $100.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate.

9. Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars)

• Why Collect: A generational prospect who is starting to find his footing. His prices have dipped, making him a “buy low” candidate for patient investors.
• Estimated Price: $20 – $50.
• Odds of Finding: High (Market is currently saturated).

10. Jordan Love (Green Bay Packers)

• Why Collect: Taking over the Packers’ legacy carries massive weight in the hobby. His performance has solidified him as a legitimate starter, driving his card prices up.
• Estimated Price: $30 – $75.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate.

Tier 3: Fan Favorites & Skill Positions

11. Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)

• Why Collect: Tied to Joe Burrow, Chase is a highlight-reel player. Skill position players (WR/RB) generally hold less value than QBs, but Chase is an exception.
• Estimated Price: $20 – $45.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate.

12. Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams)

• Why Collect: The surprise breakout of recent years. His rookie cards are essential for modern collectors, though long-term value depends on sustained success.
• Estimated Price: $25 – $60.
• Odds of Finding: Low (New hype player).

13. Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)

• Why Collect: Herbert has all the talent in the world. While his team struggles, individual collectors love his arm talent. His Optic Holo is a thing of beauty.
• Estimated Price: $30 – $70.
• Odds of Finding: High availability on eBay.

14. Sauce Gardner (New York Jets)

• Why Collect: Defenders rarely hold value in the card market. Sauce is the exception because of his “Sauce” nickname, big market (NY), and dominance. He is a cult favorite.
• Estimated Price: $10 – $25.
• Odds of Finding: Moderate.

15. Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins)

• Why Collect: The “Cheetah.” He puts up video game numbers. While older, his cards are collected by fans who appreciate his game-breaking speed.
• Estimated Price: $15 – $35.
• Odds of Finding: High.

Understanding “The Odds” (ELI5)

When we talk about odds in Donruss Optic, we are usually talking about Parallels and Case Hits.

• Base Card: Easy to find. There is roughly 1 in every pack.
• Holo (Shiny/Rainbow): Harder. Maybe 1 in every 10 packs. These are worth more.
• Downtown (Case Hit): These are cartoon-style cards that are extremely rare. You might open 20 large boxes (cases) and only find one. These are the “lottery tickets” of the set.

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Top 5 Most Popular NFL Teams to Collect

If you are looking to sell cards or trade, cards from these five teams usually move the fastest because they have the largest national fanbases.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Known as “America’s Team,” the Cowboys have the largest collector base. Even backup players for the Cowboys often sell better than starters for small-market teams. High demand drives prices up.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Winning drives the market. Because of the Mahomes/Kelce era and multiple Super Bowls, bandwagon fans and serious investors flock to Chiefs cards.

3. San Francisco 49ers

A legacy franchise with legends like Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, combined with current stars like Purdy and McCaffrey. The 49ers have a wealthy, dedicated fanbase that spends money on cards.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have a fanbase that travels everywhere. They are loyal to their defense and their stars. “Steeler Nation” buys cards aggressively, especially of defensive legends like T.J. Watt.

5. Green Bay Packers

One of the oldest franchises in history. Packers collectors are often generational (grandparents passing the hobby to grandkids). Quarterbacks for Green Bay (Favre, Rodgers, Love) are always blue-chip investments.