Patrick Mahomes II enters his sixth season with the Chiefs in 2022. 

He already holds multiple records, and is the youngest quarterback in NFL history to be named Super Bowl MVP. He is also the youngest player to ever win a league MVP and a Super Bowl title.

He’s clearly a special talent, and could easily enter the GOAT conversation at this rate. 

Here’s a list with ten of the best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards to collect, with lots of info about his top RCs. 

The Best Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards

We’ve listed a range of Mahomes rookie cards below, from signed patches to more attainable base cards. Of course, the average signed Mahomes RC is now out of reach. How much will they be worth in a decade or so? 

10. 2016 Panini Select Patrick Mahomes II XRC #2 (eBay)

We’ll begin with an early Mahomes rookie card released as part of 2016 Panini Select. This Draft Redemption pick is an XRC, with inserts averaging one per box. They document the then-upcoming 2017 NFL Draft class.

Mahomes is featured on this Redemption, which is a unique card and one of Mahomes’ earliest collectibles. PSA 10 copies have proven to be a popular investment option. 

• Parallels: Tie-Dye Prizm, Gold Prizm, Black Prizm

Check prices of 2016 Panini Select Patrick Mahomes II XRC on eBay

9. 2017 Panini Select Field Level Patrick Mahomes RC #247 (eBay) 

2017 Panini Select has a number of Mahomes rookie cards on offer, with Field Level the rarer of the duo when looking at base cards. (Premier Level Mahomes RCs show the QB in a white jersey, rather than the red seen above.)

Field Level features one of the better action shots you’ll find, with the rookie quarterback in full flow as he prepares to release the pigskin. As always, you’ll be able to find Prizm parallels. 

• Parallels: Silver, Tri-Color #/99, Copper #/75, Tie-Dye #/25, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Pink 1/1, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Panini Select Field Level Patrick Mahomes II RC on eBay

8. 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes RC #269 (eBay)

2017 Panini Prizm is a great place to look for Mahomes RCs, no matter your budget. 

They range from more affordable unnumbered Prizm parallels, to some of the most valuable overall, using the power of the flagship Panini brand to drive interest. 

It’s ideal if you’d prefer your Mahomes rookie card to have more of a classic look, using a true action shot rather than a posed photo. 

• Parallels: Prizm, Blue, Disco, Green, Pink, Red, Red/White/Blue, Orange #/275, Light Blue #/199, Blue Wave #/149, Green Scope #/99, Purple Crystals #/75, Red Power #/49, Camo #/25, White Sparkle (20 copies or less; Online Packs), Gold #/10, Bronze Stars (6 copies; 1st Off Line), Gold Vinyl #/5, Black Finite 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes RC on eBay

7. 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes RC Autograph #RA-PM (eBay)

2017 Panini Prizm sticks with the tried-and-tested formula seen with its predecessors, using a simple design set against a rainbow of coloured parallels.

This time, there’s the addition of an autograph at the bottom of the card, even if it is of the stickered variety. Once again, the power of the flagship Panini brand makes this one of the more popular Mahomes RCs overall. 

• Parallels: Disco, Green, Pink, Red/White/Blue, Blue Wave #/149, Green Scope #/99, Purple Crystals #/75, Red Power #/49, Camo #/25, Bronze Stars (20 copies or less; 1st Off Line), Gold #/10, Gold Vinyl #/5, Black Finite 1/1,White Sparkle 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes RC auto on eBay

6. 2017 Immaculate Collection Patrick Mahomes RC #104 Autograph Patch #/99 (eBay)

The 2017 Immaculate Collection Mahomes RC is an obvious premium release, and the first auto patch to make the list. Base cards are serial numbered to 99, and come with a deep red and white background. (You’ll also be able to find a Gold parallel limited to only 25 copies.)

It’s a pale imitation of the National Treasures RC seen below, but they share many of the same elements, and it’s a far cheaper option.

• Parallels: Gold #/25, NFL Shield 1/1, Platinum Tag 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Immaculate Collection Patrick Mahomes RC on eBay 

5. 2017 Panini Origins Patrick Mahomes Rookie Autographs #4 (eBay)

2017 Panini Origins contains a variety of rare Mahomes II rookie cards, but few can match up to the signed version that has a paint effect background and a tiny print run. 

One slight drawback is the 00 number found on his shirt, but that’s offset by an on-card auto which is found on parallel versions. (They correspond with the ink colors behind the player.) 

• Parallels: Red #/49, Blue #/25, Turquoise #/10, Gold #/5, Green #/3, Black 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Panini Origins Patrick Mahomes Rookie Autographs on eBay 

4. 2017 Panini Contenders Patrick Mahomes RC Autograph #303 (eBay)

A short print limited to fewer than 100 copies, the Rookie Ticket found in 2017 Panini Contenders is one of the more popular Mahomes RC autos that money can buy. 

(Panini revealed that the on-card autograph for Mahomes is limited to 250 copies or less, while the horizontal variation (#343) is 100 or less.)

One of the more important sets for football card collectors, it’s hard to look past the Rookie Ticket if you’re on the market for a signed Mahomes II RC. 

• Parallels: Red Zone SP, Playoff #/99 or less, Championship #/49 or less, Cracked Ice #/25, Super Bowl 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Panini Contenders Patrick Mahomes RC on eBay 

3. 2017 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Patrick Mahomes RC Autograph #177 (eBay)

The Rated Rookie subset in 2017 Donruss Optic is another great place to look if you’re looking for the best Mahomes RCs. It has a simple action shot of Mahomes with a ball clutched in one hand, with a host of colored parallels that can work out to be some of the most valuable overall. 

We’d stick with the chromium 2017 Donruss Optic version, although there’s also a base rated rookie which should be more affordable. 

Then there’s the hard-signed autograph version, which uses the same image as the base Rated Rookie. 

• Base Parallels: Bronze, Holo, Lime, Pink, Red/Yellow, White Sparkle, Aqua #/299, Orange #/199, Blue #/149, Red #/99, Purple #/50, Black #/25, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Gold Vinyl 1/1
• Auto Parallels: Bronze, Holo #/99, Blue #/75, Red #/50, Purple #/35, Black #/25, Gold #/10, Green #/5, Gold Vinyl 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Patrick Mahomes RC on eBay 

2. 2017 Panini Contenders Optic Patrick Mahomes RC Autograph #103 (eBay)

The Contenders Optic collection is another great place to look for the best signed Mahomes cards. 

As always, there’s a range of colored parallels which can be worth more than a new Tesla if they’re kept in pristine condition. 

Unlike the base Rookie Ticket seen above, this card makes use of Optichrome technology and a large on-card auto at the bottom. It’s undoubtedly one of the more valuable cards you’ll find if it’s graded. 

• Parallels: Red #/75, Blue #/25, Gold #/10, Gold Vinyl 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2017 Panini Contenders Optic Patrick Mahomes RC on eBay 

1. 2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes RC #161 Autograph Patch #/99 (eBay)

The Rookie Patch Autographs subset found in 2017 National Treasures is where you’ll find the card that takes the top spot on this list. 

Base cards of this Mahomes rookie patch are serial numbered to 99, which also benefits from the premium National Treasures brand and another on-card auto. 

If money is no object, this has to be the top Mahomes card to collect. 

• Parallels: Green Jersey Number #/88, Holo Silver #/25, Stars and Stripes #/13, Holo Gold #/10, Black #/5, Red #/2, Red Brand Logo #/2, Red Laundry Tag #/2, Platinum NFL Shield 1/1, Printing Plates 1/1

Check prices of 2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes RC on eBay 

Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards: Buyers Guide 

We’ve put together a brief buyers guide looking at the current state of the market for the best Patrick Mahomes II rookie cards. 

You’ll be stuck with base copies if you’re looking at graded Mahomes rookie cards that can be considered to be a cheap investment. It’s all relative, but it’s worth keeping tabs on stickered autos in any case. (Autos from 2018 can also be found for less than $1,000.)

The 2017 National Treasures autograph patch has to be our top pick overall. It features everything you could want from a rookie card, with great potential to soar in value in the future. 

Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards: Buying/Selling Advice

Mahomes II is one of the best players to invest in right now. Of course, that’s reflected in the high asking prices for his rarest rookie cards. It’s to be expected given their potential to turn a significant profit in the future. 

That’s also what most collectors are banking on, judging by recent sales. (A 2017 National Treasures NFL Shield Mahomes Rookie Auto 1/1 BGS 8.5 card sold for $4.3 million in 2021, making it the largest sale of an NFL card in history.)

Mahomes RCs are still a riskier prospect than retired pros. He has the potential to be in GOAT contention when all is said and done.