Fast Five: NFL rookies who (obviously) should be on your radar

Fast Five is a quick list under a simple topic that might offer a basic starting point for a themed collection. It's a basic list of five items that could be fun for a starting collector or a new way to add to a stash that might already seemingly include everything when it comes to cardboard. For some of you, it's probably common sense. For others of you out there, it's perhaps something to ponder.

This time? NFL rookies who should be on your radar -- and are in 2020 boxes here.

THE NEW MAHOMES?
Justin Herbert -- QB, San Diego Chargers
OK, that label might be a bit much ... or it might not be. A look at the stat sheet for this season shows the rookie from Oregon behind only Mahomes for passing yards (and it's by a pretty distant amount) but Herbert's season is one that is about to be record-setting. In last night's game, he tied the rookie TD passing record with his 27th and games to go. (The record is only two years old, though, belonging to Baker Mayfield so consider his cardboard's journey the last couple years.) For the year, he's completed 353 of 531 passes for 3,781 yards and has 10 interceptions. He's also got four rushing TDs ... one coming in OT last night. Mahomes only played one game as a rookie but threw 50 TDs in his first season as a starter. Buying Herbert now might be buying them at a high point but it wouldn't hurt to stockpile cheap ones or PSA/BGS 9s in slabs and hold for the time being.

Keep reading for four more making up the list this time.

FRESHLY UN-DRAFTED ... 
James Robinson -- RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Take a look at the NFL's rushing leaders right now and it (sorta) makes sense for the most part with Derrick Henry atop the list and then guys like Dalvin Cook, Josh Jacobs, Nick Chubb and Ezekiel Elliott in the mix among the top 10. But third on the list -- and one of only three thousand-yard guys so far this year -- is Robinson, who according to SI.com, is just the fourth undrafted rookie in league history to get the 1,000 yards -- and nobody has done it faster. And the Jags haven't had a ton of RBs join that club, either, since arriving in the league. The former Illinois State star only appears in a few releases this year -- with only two formal Rookie Cards so far -- in Score and Contenders Draft Picks. He does have a boatload of signed cards, though, thanks to appearances in draft picks sets from Panini and Leaf Trading Cards. In fact nearly all of his cards this year are autos -- around 200 signed. (Meanwhile, Joe Burrow is pushing nearly 3,000 different cards with nearly half having autos.) Once his in-uni NFL stuff arrives you might see some added attention and a bigger surge than how things look now. He's also got 46 catches for 326 and a pair of TDs ... so there's more happening on the field with him, too.

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BIG SEASON SO FAR ... 
Justin Jefferson, WR Minnesota Vikings
This one should be another no-brainer to see here as he's seventh in the league in receiving yards at 1,078 and has seven TDs among his 65 catches. This year's WR crop is, on paper, a strong one but his paper should be the hottest when found in packs. (I'm picking off other cheap rookies at this position this year and you should have an idea of who based on Buzz Buys here ... but they aren't exactly tearing it up on the stat sheet or my fantasy team.) His team typically does generate stats and has (and had) its share of stat guys ... but for cardboard they really haven't been break-out dominating guys the last few years.

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MORE MAHOMES MAGIC?
Clyde Edwards-Helaire -- RB, Kansas City Chiefs
He's sitting at only 724 rushing yards and four TDs this year but he's an RB with 35 catches, 293 yards and a TD to go with that -- and he's on the field with Mahomes ... so there's bound to be some rub. The Colts' Jonathan Taylor might be having the stronger finish, but I think the Mahomes rub will likely pay off more here over time with collector interest translating into more cardboard attention.

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BUY THE DIP?
Joe Burrow -- QB, Cincinnati Bengals
I'm personally not 100-percent sold on Burrow's future given the type of injury, but buying nice cards on low sides might pay off here if he comes back and is as good as he was hyped to be before he got hurt. Injuries can always change a career trajectory whether somebody is the No. 1 pick or a late-rounder so nothing is assured, though, especially with the NFL. The Bengals are in heavy on Burrow so you can expect them to give him plenty of time and opportunity once he's ready. By then -- or maybe even now -- a lot of flippers may have moved on to their own Next Big Thing so you might find bargains. I don't think I'd be stockpiling, but low prices on big/rare cards would get a look from me. (I'm not NFL-centric with my bigger pick-ups so take that with a grain of salt, too.)

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What would you want to see in a future Fast Five? Let Buzz know on Twitter or email.

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Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com. 

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