With preseason football kicking off at the end of this month, it's the perfect time for collectors to start placing their bets on the best player investments for the upcoming season. The recent release of 2025 Score Football has given us an early look at how the hobby values these players. With only their college performances to guide us, and ESPN Final Fantasy projections, investing wisely now could yield big profits later. It's not just about obvious names like Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, though, hidden gems often emerge from rookie classes. (Note: All card prices mentioned are recent sales on 2025 Score ungraded base autos sold on eBay.)

From clear favorites to sleeper picks, here are rookies worth watching as the season starts:

Category 1: The Obvious Chases

Cam Ward is the #1 overall pick and likely the biggest chase this season. While the Tennessee Titans' situation isn't perfect, Ward’s talent and presence as a quarterback make him a solid choice to chase for collectors.

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: N/A 

Travis Hunter is perhaps the most intriguing rookie entering the market. His rare ability to make big plays on both offense and defense, paired with Brian Thomas Jr. and Trevor Lawrence, makes Hunter one of the most exciting cards this preseason. His base ungraded autos recently sold for around $94, a strong price considering the recent release of 2025 Score Football.

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$94 (Buy on eBay)

Ashton Jeanty is considered the best running back in the class. He put up mind-boggling numbers at Boise State and has the ability to put up massive games in Las Vegas. His base ungraded autos recently sold for around $150, marking him as the highest valued rookie from Score 2025 at this time. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$150 (Buy on eBay)

Shedeur Sanders enters a crowded quarterback room with the Cleveland Browns. Although the depth chart is filled, the lack of elite arms ahead of him could open a door. If, and it’s a big IF, Sanders can bring his unique style to the NFL level and impress early, there’s no doubt he will become a hot card in the market. His situation carries high volatility, there is still no guarantee he will make the team, making him a boom-or-bust investment.
Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$100 (Buy on eBay)

Category 2: Solid Investments with Upside

Tetairoa McMillan was the first wide receiver off the board, landing with the Carolina Panthers. If Bryce Young lives up to his #1 overall pick hype and McMillan becomes his go-to receiver, this could be a solid investment. McMillan’s size and comparisons to Drake London should interest collectors. Don't expect his prices to remain this low for long. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$33 (Buy on eBay)

Jaxson Dart enters a tenuous situation in New York. He’s a young quarterback, drafted higher than expected, coming into a huge market.  With Malik Nabers waiting as a young star on the team, this pairing makes for an attractive prospect. If things go well, and New York embraces him, Dart’s card value could surpass even Cam Ward’s.

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~ N/A 

Tyler Warren, a Penn State tight end known for his impressive college career, the ability to run the ball, and athleticism for his size, is another player to watch. As he looks to follow the example of Brock Bowers’ incredible rookie success last year, Warren could be a valuable pickup. While his quarterback situation might limit immediate impact, evolving tight end roles mean he could surprise collectors this season. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$35 (Buy on eBay)

Category 3: Mid-Tier Players to Watch

Cam Skattebo, drafted in the 4th round by the New York Giants, impressed during the College Football Playoffs. Though no longer an unknown sleeper, his autos are already going for over $50, indicating there is serious hype for him in NYC.

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$50 (Buy on eBay)

Kaleb Johnson will be part of the Steelers’ competitive running back committee and could carve out a nice role on this solid team. Should he be able to prove himself early, he has the potential to make a serious impact in meaningful games this season. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$35 (Buy on eBay)

Matthew Golden, joins a trigger happy Jordan Love in Green Bay this season. He’s fast and has the opportunity to operate as Jordan Love’s top target this season, should he be able to prove himself. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$45 (Buy on eBay)

Category 4: Sleepers to Stash Now

Elic Ayomanor, a 4th round pick to the Tennessee Titans, could quietly become a nice target for Cam Ward. The Titans are looking to surround their #1 overall pick with weapons, and Ayomanor’s great career at Stanford suggests he could make an impact. His autos can be found for as little as $10, making him one of the more affordable options on this list. Meanwhile, Xavier Restrepo, who was the all-time leader in receiving yards for Miami and Cam Ward’s number one target there, has autos trading around $13–$15. Just as Burrow and Jamar Chase continued their success in Cincinnati, look for Ward to take care of his guy early on. Might as well take a shot on one of these guys becoming Cam Ward’s preferred target and see if you can hit big. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$10 (Buy on eBay) (Ayomanor) 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~ $15 (Buy on eBay) (Restrepo) 

Tre Harris, moving to the Los Angeles Chargers, could be interesting. He was the number one receiver for Jaxson Dart at Ole Miss, and with Justin Herbert always looking for a second option, Harris could alleviate pressure from other targets. His autos recently sold for just $7.50, making him a cheap investment with potential upside.

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$7.50 (Buy on eBay)

Omarion Hampton, coming off an incredible career at UNC that saw him rush for over 3,000 yards. A dynamic and strong runner will be inserted into the backfield with Justin Herbert going into his sixth season. There is competition with Najee Harris who has never lived up to his initial hype coming out of college. I would expect Harbaugh to give Hampton a good crack at it, and there is precedence for strong running backs in this offense after J.K. Dobbins’ season last year. 

Base Score 2025 Auto Price: ~$25 (Buy on eBay)

Who is your chase this season? Let us know on Mantel.