Buyer beware of these three NFL Free Agents sports cards
Patrick Stoddard
March 17, 2022
Avoid these three players' cards who recently signed lucrative free agent deals with new NFL teams or are awaiting to sign.
Christian Kirk
Jacksonville Jaguars
Four years, $82 million
Kirk signed the most expensive free agent WR deal this offseason. Kirk is a good WR when operating out of the slot; after taking over for Larry Fitzgerald, Kirk went on to 77 receptions, 982 yards, and 5 TDs. Those are fine numbers, but are those numbers worth an annual contract value of $17 million a year? I would say this contract is an overpay.
Kirk now joins an offense that features Trevor Lawrence as his QB, James Robinson, and Travis Etienne Jr. as his RBs. The WR room consists of Marvin Jones, former second-round pick Laviska Shenault Jr., recently signed WR Zay Jones and Evan Engram as a recently signed TE. Zay Jones, in my opinion, also received an overpaid contract in regards to his value. The Jaguars also re-signed offensive linemen and added via free agency to their line.
The Jaguars, by all predictions, can become an above-average NFL offense if Trevor Lawrence develops into the 1st overall pick he was drafted as last year. Potential buyers may be high on the Jaguars, especially with their new offseason additions.
Kirk is only 25 years old, so he should have plenty of years left in the NFL, making some buyers think he is a good buy. Kirk is a slot WR (slot WRs receive little hobby love), and at best, he is somewhere in the top 20 WRs in the NFL, being closer to 20 than to the top 10. Don't buy into the hype; Kirk is a good WR, but he does not offer much in terms of long-term investment into his sports cards. If you were to buy Kirk this offseason, I would suggest purchasing and flipping Kirk to avoid getting stuck holding the bag. Jaguar card buyers should invest in the engine of their offense in Trevor Lawrence instead of the surrounding weapons.
Zach Ertz
Arizona Cardinals
Three years, $31 million
Ertz was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Arizona Cardinals last NFL season around the trade deadline. Ertz ended last season with 56 receptions, 574 yards, and 3 TDs. Ertz served as QB Kyler Murray's safety blanket over the middle of the field and served as the team-leading receiver in receptions after joining the team in October.
The statistics mentioned above sound great; here is why not buy his cards. Ertz is injury prone and on the downside of his career at 31 years old. Per Pro-Football-Reference, Ertz does not have a high chance of making the NFL Hall of Fame. Leaving Ertz to go down as one of the best TEs of his generation, but not a Hall of Famer.
With Ertz on the downside of his career and his chances at entering the Hall of Fame at low percentages, there are not many reasons to buy his cards other than people who are Ertz fans or collectors. Ertz is a great Fantasy Football and real-life TE; he just isn't a sound sports card investment.
Allen Robinson
Free Agent
TBD
Robinson completed the 2021 NFL season with the Chicago Bears, where he finished with 38 receptions, 410 yards, and 1 TD. Robinson was injured throughout the season and only played in 11 contests. Robison is 28 years old and made the NFL Pro Bowl with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2015; he is the only award in his career to this point.
Robinson is likely to sign a one-year prove-it deal with an NFL team or sign a lucrative multiyear contract. Either way, when Robinson signs somewhere, the hype will build around Robinson as a sports cards investment. Do not fall into the hype; Robinson is a good WR, but his days of hobby relevance are likely over.
Poor QB play has cursed Robinsons' career; QBs include Blake Bortles, Mitch Trubisky, and Justin Fields. Robinson has never been paired with an above-average QB stunting his stats and sportscard relevance.
If Robison returns to form from injury next season, and even if he signs with an NFL team that has a competent QB, it is too late. Robinson will be 29 by the start of the 2022 NFL season; he may have three to five good years of play left in him. But he seems unlikely to elevate himself beyond the range of good WR paired with bad QBs in the history books. I would avoid Robinsons' cards when he eventually signs somewhere.
All statistics and contract values provided by ESPN unless otherwise noted
Disclaimer: I'm a paying customer of Card Ladder. This content is for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, investment, financial, or other advice.
