Fast Five: Players to consider stockpiling right now ...

This one is a new department here on The Buzz ... Fast Five -- 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? Five players to stockpile right now.

LEGENDARY LULL? MAYBE FOR SOME STUFF ...
Once Tom Brady's new-team cardboard arrives there will be some heat there but for long-term stockpiling, I'd be looking at other things for this Hall of Fame lock and all-time great. His Rookie Cards from 2000 boxes are stupid expensive so stockpiling those ain't easy even if you have a Centurion black card -- there's just not an infinite amount to be found. But there are other types of cards that you should be able to find far cheaper and can sit on for the future. Don't think there's heat here on non-rookie, non-auto stuff? Click here. I'm not even recommending loading up there. Brady game-used jersey cards might be first on my list -- none of his gamers will be cheap to find at this point for card companies -- though they aren't super-cheap either. (I perhaps own one pulled long ago.) But you should also consider standard flagship types of cards and parallels -- basic Topps, Score, Playoff, Panini staples -- with an eye on grading. Prices on basic Brady cardboard out there is often far cheaper than, say, LeBron James, Ken Griffey Jr. or Kobe Bryant with plenty of options. And he's a lock as being his sport's all-time best -- and keep in mind that some Patriots stuff might have lulls with the move to Tampa Bay ... perhaps moreso if the season is delayed or shortened.

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

THE REMEMBER-ME GUYS ...
Remember me? Players who had just recently been hobby champs are likely not as hot now like Kris Bryant can always have potential if they continue to perform well or, more importantly, if they change teams where there are plenty of collectors with dollars to spend on new stars. Bryant's 2015 Rookie Cards have a number of options at prices more reasonable now vs. back when the Cubs finally won it all. He'll always be that guy for Cubs fans no matter what happens in the future ... now ponder his cardboard potential if those become, say, New York Yankees pinstripes. He's not alone with guys like Nolan Arenado coming to mind. Many times players' moves are positives but not always at first -- Bryce Harper might not be as hot card-wise but his stats were far from the worst of his career in his new location last year. He'd go on this list for me, too, and it's not just baseball. Speculation on Cam Newton stuff has been heavy but we'll see there.

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THE NEXT-TIER ROOKIES
They can't all sell like Zion Williamson or Ja Morant, but they might not be that far behind on the court -- and over time that's what matters more ... performance over hype. Sure, other guys may never top the big two -- they are performing -- but you never know how the next few seasons might go for anyone. NBA rookies in this year's class are pricey -- I'm not necessarily saying bank on any one in particular -- but you can use some common sense to see with notable cards from heavily ripped brands like Prizm, Optic and Mosaic and see value openings. Start with the basic RCs and then consider parallels -- with added long-term potential if you're grading. Eric Paschall, for example, isn't super-expensive on the low-end and he's fifth among NBA rookies this year with 14.0 points per game in 60 games this year. Only six rookies have played more and only one player has more points per, Kendrick Nunn at 15.6. (Morant is going to be your Rookie of the Year as he's averaged 17.6 ppg in 59 games and is the only player to top 1,000 points, while Zion is Zion.) With so much volume being ripped, now is the time to pile up some of the lesser names at bargain prices. Compare them all here.

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NOTABLE-PLAYER ODDBALL CARDS
Oddball sets -- stuff that's released online-only in small formats or via food-issue or other promotional ways -- are out there all the time and most people don't even realize it. Card companies are pumping out a lot of these smaller releases to the point where they are commonplace to some people now -- Project 2020 and Topps #TBT come to mind -- but the low volume of those cards made is the key to the longer term for top stars and key rookies. Want a simple example? When's the last time you saw these 2012-13 NBA Hoops Taco Bell cards? They're basically the same as regular cards but with rounded corners ... and yet this Anthony Davis is about $85 raw on eBay right now and pushing $900 in PSA 10 form (asking prices). Recent raw sales aren't nearly that high ... but they aren't bad for their original price (free). But, the kicker is this ... can you find fresh five-card packs on eBay? Nope, so what's out there is out there right now. How might these kinds of cards look in, say, another decade?

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STOCKPILE YOUR PLAYER
Over time, as long as your player isn't some front-running A-list megastar who will never stop appearing on new cards, you should see how your own buying habits can affect the market for your player's cards. In some cases, you might be the market with others' pickings at the mercy of what you don't buy and the prices on those cards. You also might (maybe) have the potential for better returns later if your player has other collectors and you have the cards they can't find if you have to or decide to sell. You'd be surprised how prices can look when there are no new cards for guys over the span of just a few years. This is perhaps most easily seen for players who stop signing autographs and come back into the signing game for companies eager to find players who'll prompt people to buy more packs. A lot of players could fall into this category. Another example ... I used to collect Randall Cunningham casually but only have a couple of autographs because he's never been a high-volume signer ... so he's not cheap. In his case, I'm probably also at the mercy of other collectors who are more dedicated than I am.

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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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