Patrick Lavon Mahomes II was destined to become a professional athlete at a young age due to his father's baseball success, Patrick Mahomes, who compiled an 11-year Major League Baseball career. Patrick Mahomes was a standout three-sport athlete in high school, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. What stands out about Mahomes is his various prospects on which sport he'd compete in at the next level.
As Mahomes's story unfolded, he ultimately decided on a professional football career. However, he has yet to close the door on making his Major League Baseball debut before all is said and done.
Patrick Mahomes attended Texas Tech University, breaking both school and NCAA Division I records along the way, before declaring himself eligible for the 2017 NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs extended themselves to draft Patrick Mahomes as the 10th overall pick, where he's emerged into their franchise quarterback and one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league.
Through four-plus NFL seasons, Patrick Mahomes has been selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls, 2018 First-Team All-Pro, 2020 Second-Team All-Pro, 2018 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 2018 NFL Most Valuable Player, Super Bowl LIV Champion, and Super Bowl LIV MVP.
What is more, Mahomes is deeply involved with the Kansas City community, where he's a minority shareholder of the Kansas City Royals and a member of the Sporting KC Major League Soccer club.
As one of the most prominent quarterbacks in the league, who excels on and off the field, the value of Patrick Mahomes's rookie cards are second to none. Understanding his influence on the National Football League, the city of Kansas City, and the enormous value of his rookie cards, let's dive into the top 10 best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards to collect.
#10
2017 Panini Flawless Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Autographs Ruby RC #RA-PM #'d/15
Recent sale: $7,777
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Issued to football card collectors on April 4, 2018, 2017 Panini Flawless is one of the most coveted football products of late, with each card serial-numbered to 25 or less. The high-end football card product offers one pack of 10 cards in each hobby box, showcasing six autographed cards, two memorabilia cards, and two Base Gem cards. Patrick Mahomes's 10th most valuable rookie card and the second most desired from 2017 Panini Flawless emerges from the Rookie Autographs subset, dubbed his Rookie Autographed Ruby rookie card, bearing a print run of 15 copies. Since Panini released the set, 9 of the 15 copies have surfaced, including three PSA 10's.
At Whitehouse High School in Whitehouse, Texas, Patrick Mahomes evolved into a high-caliber quarterback. In his junior year of high school in 2012-13, Mahomes threw for 3,839 yards, including 46 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. He also compiled a 56.7% completion percentage and a 115.3 quarterback rating. Mahomes continued to improve after a remarkable performance in his junior year, where he threw for 4,619 yards, 50 touchdowns, and just six interceptions in his senior season at Whitehouse High School. Mahomes also boosted his completion percentage (58%) and QBR (117.9).
Mahomes was ranked as the 194th top recruit in the country and 31st in the state of Texas by the time he completed his high school football career. Mahomes turned heads as a teenager at Whitehouse High School and continues his quarterback prowess at the sport's highest level in the NFL. Considering the low print run and high demand, Patrick Mahomes Rookie Autographed Ruby rookie card from the one-of-a-kind 2017 Panini Flawless set stands as one of his best rookie cards.
#9
2017 Panini Instant Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Premiere Next Day Autographs RC #NNO
Recent sale: $8,050
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Mahomes's next rookie card arises from 2017 Panini Instant, the second year of Panini's print-on-demand online exclusive product. Patrick Mahomes's most coveted rookie card from the 2017 Panini Instant product is his Rookie Premiere Next Day Autographs rookie card. Panini issued cards from the Rookie Premiere Next Day Autographs over the course of five days, with Patrick Mahomes card offered to football card collectors on June 7, 2017. Mahomes's Rookie Premiere Next Day Autographs rookie card has a PSA and BGS population of 20, five of which merited a PSA 10. The highest awarded grade collectors received from Beckett is a BGS 9.5, bearing a population of two.
Football wasn't the only sport Patrick Mahomes excelled at in high school. In fact, Mahomes was a three-sport star athlete, competing at a high level in baseball and basketball as well as football. As a junior in high school, Mahomes averaged 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 40 steals per game for the Whitehouse Wildcats. Shifting to the diamond, on March 11, 2014, Patrick Mahomes threw a gem for the Whitehouse Wildcats, recording a no-hitter while striking out 16 batters in a 2-1 victory over current Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech and Mount Pleasant High School. Despite committing to Texas Tech University, Patrick Mahomes was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2017 Major League Amateur Baseball Draft.
Perfect Game ranked Patrick Mahomes as the 35th best overall baseball prospect, the 133rd right-handed pitcher, and the 389th overall high school prospect in the class of 2014. Mahomes was also selected by Perfect Game as an All-Region, All-American, and an All-East Most Valuable Player in the state of Texas. Suffice to say, Patrick Mahomes was viewed as a generational talent as a three-sport phenom, leading to the desire for his Rookie Premiere Next Day Autographs from 2017 Panini Instant. As this Patrick Mahomes Rookie Premiere Next Day Autographs rookie card received a BGS 9.5, one can only wonder about the potential value of a PSA 10 should they surface or if Beckett awards a BGS 10 in the future.
#8
2017 Panini Select Patrick Mahomes II Tri-Color Prizm RC #247 #'d/99
Recent sale: $8,300
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Two weeks after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52, hobbyists yearned for the 2017 Panini Select football set, comprised of 12 packs of five cards in each hobby box. Each hobby box contains two autographs, one memorabilia card, 14 Prizms, two Field Level base cards, and 10 Premier Level base cards. 2017 Panini Select features a three-tiered base set; Concourse, Premier Level, and Field Level, with Patrick Mahomes Tri-Color Prizm parallel rookie card from the Field Level subset the most desirable. The Field Level subset contains several parallel variations, with the Tri-Color Prizm cards limited to 99 copies. As of writing, 82 of Mahomes's 99 copies have surfaced, roughly 59% meriting a PSA or BGS 10, including two BGS 10 Black Labels. Patrick Mahomes graded PSA 10 Tri-Color Prizm parallel rookie card is one of 41 copies to earn PSA's ultimate grade, though just seven of 34 cards merited a BGS 10.
In his freshman season at Texas Tech, Patrick Mahomes served as the backup quarterback to David Webb for the first eight games of the 2014 season. Mahomes finally earned the team's starting quarterback role in week 9 of the 2014 season against the Texas Longhorns. Across seven games, including four as a starter, Patrick Mahomes tallied 1,547 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Despite playing in just seven contests, and four as a starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes was among college football's freshman leaders with a 151.2 passing efficiency (2nd), 16 passing touchdowns (4th), and 1,547 passing yards (9th).
At the same time Mahomes was breaking records for the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team; he also served as a relief pitcher for the school's baseball team. Although this Tri-Color Prizm parallel rookie card from 2017 Panini Select is the least condition-sensitive on the list, it endures as one of the best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards and has long-lasting value, especially if a BGS 10 Black Label surfaces on the secondary market.
#7
2017 Panini National Treasures Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Material Signatures RPS RC #RMS-PM #'d/99
Recent sale: $13,183
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The 2017 Panini National Treasures set was released on March 21, 2018, offering one pack of eight cards in each hobby box in this premium Panini product. 2017 Panini National Treasures also remains one of the most highly coveted football trading card releases in recent memory. One of the best Patrick Mahomes's rookie cards from 2017 Panini National Treasures appears in the Rookie Material Signatures RPS subset, featuring 40 of the most promising NFL rookies. Mahomes's Rookie Material Signatures RPS rookie card has a total print run of 99, currently holding an overall population of 75. Patrick Mahomes's card is graded a PSA 10 for its condition and a PSA 10 for the quality of his blue-penned autograph. Only six of the 16 cards analyzed by PSA merited a PSA 10, while none of the 59 copies received higher than a BGS 9.5. With that said, just six of 75 cards, or 8% of Mahomes's Rookie Material Signatures RPS rookie card was deserving of a PSA or BGS 10, ranked as the second-most condition-sensitive card on the list.
Patrick Mahomes led the Texas Tech Red Raiders to a 7-6 record in the 2015 season, earning a berth to the Texas Bowl. At the helm of the Red Raiders, Mahomes compiled 4,653 passing yards, 36 touchdown passes, and 15 interceptions. Mahomes added 456 yards on the ground, tallying 10 rushing touchdowns.
As a sophomore at Texas Tech, Patrick Mahomes led the Big 12 in passing completions (364), passing attempts (573), passing yards (4,653), passing touchdowns (36), and touchdowns responsible (46). As a result of his quarterback proficiency in the 2015 season, Patrick Mahomes created commotion across NFL front offices. Fast forward to the present day, and you'll notice Patrick Mahomes's Rookie Material Signatures rookie card value fetches five figures.
#6
2017 Panini Contenders Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Ticket Autograph RC #303
Recent sale: $13,885
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2017 Panini Contenders holds a 400-card base checklist, allocating 24 packs of five cards in each hobby box. Football card collectors can expect between five to six autographs (one to two of which showcase an on-card autograph), one parallel card, and 18 inserts. The loftiest Patrick Mahomes rookie card worth from 2017 Panini Contenders appears in the Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs subset. Although Mahomes's Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs doesn't bear a serial number, his rookie card is considered a short print, with hobbyists estimating that roughly 250 were ever printed. According to PSA's population report, 38 of 97 cards merited a PSA 10 (39%), while just two of 110 (roughly 2%) received a BGS 10.
In Patrick Mahomes's junior and final season with the Red Raiders, he compiled 5,052 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only 10 interceptions. Mahomes led all of the NCAA in passing yards (5,052), total yards (5,337), and touchdowns responsible (53). Voters nominated Mahomes with the Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top passer in college football and the Academic All-America second team for his performance on and off the field.
Not only did Mahomes rank among the best quarterbacks in the country, but he also cemented himself in the record books, recording the 6th most total yards (5,337) and 12th most for passing yards (5,052) in NCAA history. With that said, the value of a PSA or BGS 10 for Patrick Mahomes's Rookie Ticket RPS Autographs rookie card can reach remarkable heights, considering this particular card is graded a PSA 8.
#5
2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes II Stained Glass Prizm RC #10
Recent sale: $14,100
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Issued on October 25, 2017 in 12 packs of 12 cards, collectors can anticipate three autographs and nine serial-numbered Prizm parallels from a 2017 Panini Prizm hobby box. The Stained Glass Prizm checklist from 2017 Panini Prizm features 10 NFL players, including Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and the recently retired and near-lock to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Ben Roethlisberger. 2017 Panini Prizm is home to three of the leading five Patrick Mahomes rookie cards, with his Stained Glass Prizm rookie card classified as his 5th most valuable overall. Patrick Mahomes's Stained Glass Prizm rookie card is the second most graded card on the list (140 copies), though just 44 cards (31%) merited a PSA or BGS 10. In fact, 43 of the 101 (roughly 43%) cards graded by PSA earned a PSA 10, while just one of 39 cards received a BGS 10 (approximately 3%).
After his junior campaign at Texas Tech University, Patrick Mahomes declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Kansas City Chiefs originally had the 27th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. However, they traded their 27th pick and a third-round selection in the 2017 NFL Draft and their first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft with the Buffalo Bills to move up to the 10th overall pick, which they used to select Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs inked a four-year, $16.42 million contract and a $10.08 signing bonus with the franchise.
In his 2017 rookie season, Patrick Mahomes served as the backup to Alex Smith, only appearing in Week 17 for the franchise to rest Smith for the playoffs. In his first career start in Week 17 versus the Denver Broncos, Mahomes completed 22 of his 35 passes for 284 yards in a 27-24 victory. Patrick Mahomes may have only played in one game in his rookie season, though he was able to develop and polish his game, serving as the backup to Alex Smith. As such, Mahomes's Stained Glass Prizm rookie card endures as one of his most coveted rookie cards.
#4
2017 Panini Flawless Patrick Mahomes II Diamond Autoghraph RC #132 #'d/10
Recent sale: $17,100
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The only Patrick Mahomes rookie card more desirable than his Rookie Autographs Ruby rookie card from 2017 Panini Flawless is his Diamond Autograph rookie card. Patrick Mahomes's Diamond Autograph rookie card bears the lowest print run of any card on the list, limited to just 10 copies. Mahomes's Diamond Autograph rookie card is graded a PSA 10 for the card's condition and a PSA 9 for Mahomes's blue-penned on-card autograph. Since being released on April 4, 2018, seven of Mahomes's 10 Diamond Autographed rookie cards have surfaced, two accepting a PSA or BGS 10.
After the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card, the franchise traded Alex Smith to the former Washington Redskins, handing over the starting quarterback role to Patrick Mahomes. In his first season under center for the Chiefs, Mahomes guided the franchise to a 12-4 record, behind 5,097 passing yards, a league-leading 50 touchdown passes, and only 12 interceptions. In the 2018 season, Mahomes completed 66% of his passes, compiled a 113.8 passer rating, and led the league with an 80.3 QBR.
Patrick Mahomes's 2018 NFL season was historic, to say the least, where he was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl, First-Team All-Pro, and grasped the 2018 National Football League Most Valuable Player Award. In essence, the value of Patrick Mahomes rookie cards exploded, particularly his Diamond Autograph rookie card from 2017 Panini Flawless.
#3
2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Autographs Prizm Green Scope RC #RA-PM #'d/99
Recent sale: $17,877
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The third most coveted Patrick Mahomes rookie card is also his second-most yearned rookie card from 2017 Panini Prizm, arising from the Rookie Autographs Prizm checklist. Mahomes's Rookie Autographed Prizm rookie card is a Green Scope Prizm parallel, serial-numbered to 99 copies. As of writing, 86 of Mahomes's Green Scope Prizm parallel rookie cards have been graded by PSA and BGS, with 24 cards, or 28%, warranting a PSA or BGS 10.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs didn't skip a beat in the 2019 season, recording a 12-4 record while capturing the AFC West. In the 2019 regular season, Mahomes garnered 4,031 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. In the 2019 NFL Playoffs, Mahomes tallied 901 passing yards, 10 touchdown passes, and just two interceptions. The Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round, the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship, and the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 54.
Patrick Mahomes became the third-youngest player and the youngest quarterback in league history to capture the Super Bowl MVP, once again directly influencing the inherent value of his rookie cards, hence the five-figure price tag of his Rookie Autographed Prizm Green Scope rookie card.
#2
2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Patch Autographs Prizm Red Power RC #RPA-PM #'d/15
Recent sale: $20,000
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After discussing Patrick Mahomes's Rookie Autographed Prizm Green Scope rookie card, that leaves us with his most valuable card from 2017 Panini Prizm, dubbed his Rookie Patch Autographs Prizm Red Power rookie card. Mahomes's Prizm Red Power rookie card is tied for his second-most limited rookie card on the list with his Rookie Autographs Ruby rookie card from 2017 Panini Flawless, limited to 15 copies. Since Panini released the 2017 Panini Prizm set, nine of 15 copies have surfaced, though none merited a PSA or BGS 10. Mahomes's Rookie Patch Autographs Prizm Red Power rookie card is graded a BGS 9, with just two cards holding a higher grade (both BGS 9.5's)
Prior to the 2020 NFL season, Patrick Mahomes inked a 10-year, $477 million contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, one of the most significant sports contracts in American professional sports history. There were no signs of a Super Bowl hangover for Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 NFL season, where they recorded a 14-2 record, once again capturing the AFC West Division title. In the 2020 NFL season, Mahomes threw for 4,740 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Mahomes led the league in passing yards per game, averaging 316 yards each time the NFL phenom took the field.
Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs to a deep playoff run, defeating the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Divisional Round and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship, before falling to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. Despite not winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Mahomes's rookie cards continued to soar, including his highly coveted Rookie Patch Autographs Prizm Red Power rookie card.
#1
2017 Panini Absolute Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Premiere Material Autographs Spectrum RC #229 #'d/99
Recent sale: $50,000
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Patrick Mahomes's most valuable rookie card sold over the past few months is his Rookie Premiere Triple Material Autographs Spectrum rookie card from the 2017 Panini Absolute football set. Released on September 6, 2017 in three packs of five cards, collectors can anticipate one Rookie Premiere Triple Material Autograph, two additional autographs, and two relic cards in each hobby box. Mahomes's Rookie Premiere Triple Material Autograph rookie card is a Spectrum parallel, limited to a print run of 99. Mahomes's rookie card holds a PSA and BGS population of 16, none of which were deserving of a PSA or BGS 10. This denotes that Mahomes's Rookie Premiere Triple Material Autograph rookie card is one of two cards on the list, along with his Rookie Patch Autographs Prizm Red Power rookie card, yet to receive PSA or Beckett's ultimate grade.
Patrick Mahomes guided the Kansas City Chiefs to their fourth consecutive 10-plus win season, tallying a 12-5 record in the NFL's first rendition of an 18-week NFL campaign, with each franchise playing 17 games. In what was considered an off-year for Mahomes, he still managed to record 4,839 passing yards, and 37 touchdowns, though he threw for a career-high 13 interceptions.
Mahomes guided the Chiefs to their sixth-consecutive AFC West title, four of which came with Patrick Mahomes under center. The Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card, and the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, before succumbing to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship. Although Mahomes failed to guide the Chiefs to their third straight Super Bowl appearance, the generational talent continues to be one of the most electric players in the league, solidifying the value of his Rookie Premiere Triple Material Autograph rookie card from 2017 Panini Absolute.
Patrick Mahomes's Legacy is Simply Just Beginning
Heading into the 2023 NFL season, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are on a mission to remain among NFL's elite teams. To date, the Kansas City Chiefs have the third-highest odds to capture Super Bowl 57, the second-highest odds to become AFC Champions, and the highest odds to capture the AFC West, which would be the franchise's 7th consecutive division title. Patrick Mahomes also endures as the second likeliest to win the 2023 NFL MVP Award, behind just Buffalo Bills phenom Josh Allen.
Taking into consideration the impact Patrick Mahomes has had in four-plus NFL seasons, it's no wonder the top 10 Patrick Mahomes rookie cards have sold for over $170,000. If Mahomes and the Chiefs can compile another 10-plus win campaign, make a deep playoff run, capture another Super Bowl, or Mahomes takes home another NFL MVP Award, the value of Mahomes's rookie cards across the board will skyrocket to unprecedented values, as if they haven't already.
