Drew Brees Rookie Card Rankings
While Tom Brady and even Aaron Rodgers get much of the attention, Drew Brees has quietly put together a career that ranks him among the greatest quarterbacks of all-time. And while he’s always been a star in collecting circles, the twilight of his career has brought Brees closer to the level he deserves. That means a lot of interest in the full Drew Brees Rookie Card slate.
And it’s a big one.
Nearly 70 Drew Brees cards have the RC tag in the Beckett database. And on top of those are hundreds of additional inserts, autographs and parallels. The football card world was in a different place then. NFL manufacturers included Upper Deck, Topps, Fleer, Donruss/Playoff and Pacific. With so many making cards, it’s easy to see how the numbers stack up.
The most valuable Drew Brees Rookie Cards can fetch thousands. Some of the more common ones or cards from sets that don’t have a huge following can still be found for less than $20.
Getting every Drew Brees Rookie Card isn’t going to be feasible for most. That’s where a plus can be found with the large number, no matter where you’re coming at it. With so many cards, there’s a lot of variety to choose from. This includes designs, types of cards, brands and companies, even the uniform Brees is wearing. Many early releases picture the quarterback in his Purdue gear.
Autographs were definitely making their presence felt in 2001, but not to quite the same extent they are now. That translates into less than ten different autographed Drew Brees Rookie Cards. He has lots of inserts and other cards with signatures, but not a lot in main sets.
Most Valuable Drew Brees Rookie Card Rankings
Here’s a deep look at every Drew Brees Rookie Card ranked by what’s the most valuable. Spots are based on values in the Beckett Football Card Price Guide and Database. Only base cards with the RC tag are included, not inserts and parallels.
1. 2001 Playoff Contenders Drew Brees RC Autograph #124
Parallels: Championship Ticket (/100, no autograph), Hawaii (/10)
Buy on:
10. 2001 Bowman Chrome Drew Brees RC #144 /1999
Parallels: Xfractors, Gold Refractors (/99)
Buy on:
12. 2001 Upper Deck Ovation Drew Brees RC #137 /250
Parallels: Black and White (/250), Embossed (/250), Rookie Autographs (/250)
Buy on:
13. 2001 E-X Drew Brees RC #95 /1000
125 copies are autographed.
Parallels: Essential Credentials (/29)
Buy on:
14. 2001 Donruss Elite Drew Brees RC #102 /500
Although numbered to 500, the base version only has 450 copies. The first 50 are the Turn of the Century Autographs.
Parallels: Aspirations (/85), Turn of the Century Autographs (/500, 50 copies), Status (/15)
Buy on:
16. 2001 Fleer Showcase Drew Brees RC #122 /500
Parallels: Legacy (/50), Masterpiece (1/1)
Buy on:
17. 2001 Ultra Drew Brees RC #260 /2499
Parallels: Gold Medallion (/100), Platinum Medallion (/25)
Buy on:
18. 2001 Pacific Impressions Drew Brees RC #202 /117
Parallels: Red Backs (/280), Premiere Date (/50), Shadow (/25)
Buy on:
19. 2001 Pacific Invincible Drew Brees RC Jersey #289 /250
Parallels (no memorabilia): Red (/199), Blue (/99), Premiere Date (/55)
Buy on:
23. 2001 Fleer Legacy Drew Brees RC #95 /999
Although numbered to 999, base RC has 699 copies. First 300 copies are Postmarks and Postmarks Autograph versions.
Parallels: Ultimate Legacy (/250), Rookie Postmarks (/999, 200 copies), Rookie Postmarks Autographs (/999, 100 copies)
Buy on:
24. 2001 Leaf Rookies and Stars Drew Brees RC #202
Parallels: Longevity (/25), Chicago Collection (/5)
Buy on:
26. 2001 Private Stock Drew Brees RC #160 /200
Parallels: PS-2001, PS-2001 Small Card Numbers, Silver Framed (/99), Premiere Date (/95), Blue Framed (/75), Gold Framed (/49)
Buy on:
29. 2001 Preferred Drew Brees RC #102 /1100
Parallels: National Treasures Silver (/275), National Treasures Gold (/50)
Buy on:
39. 2001 Fleer Premium Drew Brees RC #214 /2001
Parallels: Rookie Game Ball (/2001, 250 copies made – first 250 copies of base RC), Star Ruby (/125)
Buy on:
41. 2001 Absolute Memorabilia Drew Brees RC Football #154 /850
Although numbered to 850, the first 25 copies are the Rookie Premiere Materials Autographs.
Parallels: Rookie Premiere Materials Autographs (/850, 25 copies), Spectrum (/25)
Buy on:
42. 2001 Fleer Tradition Glossy Drew Brees RC #402 /2001
Parallels: Rookie Stickers (/650), Rookie Minis (/350)
Buy on:
43. 2001 Topps Drew Brees RC #328
Parallels: MVP Collection, Topps Collection
Buy on:
48. 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Drew Brees RC Dual Memorabilia #134 /400
Parallels: Mirror Red (/150, Autograph), Mirror Gold (/25)
Buy on:
49. 2001 Fleer Authority Drew Brees RC #102 /1350
Parallels: Prominence 75 (/75), Prominence 25 (/25)
Buy on:
50. 2001 Quantum Leaf Drew Brees RC #202
Parallels: Infinity Green (/75), Infinity Red (/35), Autographs (/20), Infinity Purple (/15)
Buy on:
53. 2001 Vanguard Drew Brees RC #140 /450
Parallels: Blue (/299), Premiere Date (/115), Gold (/99), Red (/10)
Buy on:
56. 2001 Topps Gallery Drew Brees RC #115
Parallels: Press Plates Black (1/1), Press Plates Cyan (1/1), Press Plates Magenta (1/1), Press Plates Yellow (1/1)
Buy on:
57. 2001 Score Drew Brees RC #272
Parallels: Scorecard (/357), Final Score (/11), Chicago Collection (/5)
Buy on:
My name is Greg Jackson i live in Lafayette, IN and have been collecting purdue football players who made it to the NFL Griese, Dawson, Herman, Etc. In 2000 at a Purdue Home Game I received my 1st Drew Brees card which was the 2000 heisman race card.
The Card was produced for the American lung association, but to my amazement I noticed that there were different sponsors on the cards, I personally went to the American Lung Association and asked if i could get all 7 different sponsors, to my amazement they allowed me to get the complete set, which started the quest of collecting all his rookie cards, to my amazement i found out that there were over 350 different cards, rookie cards, autos, memorabilia, etc.
In 2003 i was able to meet Drew Brees at the PEFCU(Purdue Emplyees Credit Union) which Drew was their spokesman, he signed all 7 cards for me and i gave him some graded cards. We were pictured on the front of the PEFCU magazine called the Connections, and my wife went to the Meijers to have Drew’s book signed which he also signed the proof picture of He and I.
In 2014 i purchased my last Brees rookie which was serial numbered 10/10.
I now believe i am in possesion of the best Drew Brees rookie collection which i also have 2 of the 2002 Hawaiian Trade Show auto contenders which were serial numbered out of 10.
My friends thought that i was crazy to attempt to accumulate this set until 2009 which Drew won the Superbowl and was awarded the MVP of the Superbowl.
I am asking for guidance as to the best way to sell the collection, either breaking it up or selling it as a whole.
I am a person whom would not ask unless i was accurate, to my knowledge i believe i am only missing the 1/1 pressplates and the Fleer Masterpiece 1/1 auto and the Playoff Memorabilia mini helmet/24.
I could send any and all pictures necessary to prove that I have what i say.
Please advise what you could suggest as to what would be My best option.
I have notied an explosion in the pricing of Drew Brees rookies but I need help as to the best way and most valuable way to sell the collection.
Please advise.
Sincerly,
Greg Jackson
The obssessed Drew Brees rookie collector
@Greg – If you send Steve at Beckett Goodwin Auctions an email (sbloedow@beckett.com), he should probably be able to help you.
Hey Ryan, I know this article is almost 2 years old but I had a question about the Leaf Rookies and Stars Brees RC. I have card #189 (not the one pictured above) in the Chicago Collection #’d /5. I always thought this was a base Leaf card that was stamped at the National Convention back in 2002 when it was in Chicago…and given out to a select few attendees at the show. But I noticed you listed it as a parallel, along with the Longevity parallels #’d to /25. So are you saying the Chicago Collection was a Leaf issued (and stamped) parallel? I’ve had collectors tell me the card isn’t worth as much because it’s not a manufacturer issued parallel….that it was artificially made to be scarce by a third party stamping the plain base card. Do you think you can clear that up for me? Or do you have any other info at all about this “parallel?” Like its print run, information about it is scarce. Thank you.
@Albert – Honestly, not sure. I refer to what’s in the database compiling the details and it was cataloged. That was long before my time here.
I just purchased a card off eBay that is apparently a Drew Brees rookie card. It is a 2001 Topps Finest Drew Brees Stadium Throwback (Stadium seat relic from Balboa Stadium) I cannot find any other like this one however I’ve only looked today. What are your thoughts on this card? Is it legit and officially a rookie card?
@Patrick – It is an insert from 2001 Finest.
As for whether it’s a Rookie Card, it depends on how you look at it. Traditionally, inserts aren’t RCs. That said many consider them to be. Personally, I look at inserts as broader Rookie Year cards.
I don’t think there’s nearly enough Drew Brees rookie cards. This can’t be it, can there? There must be some more out there,there just has to be! I mean, only 66??? What the hell man??? (….????….)