Rams fans might not be thrilled with the team’s choice to draft Ty Simpson, but sports collectors are eating it up.
Topps officials told The California Post this week that Simpson’s draft-night Topps NOW card was officially the third-most sought after when it came to players taken by NFL teams last week.
The only two higher, according to Topps, were the cards belonging to No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza and No. 3 overall selection Jeremiyah Love.
The coveted cards were created moments after the college football stars learned their professional destinations.
For those in attendance in Pittsburgh, a Topps photographer stationed by the stage snapped a photo of the prospects with Roger Goodell, and then quickly transported the image to cards that athletes then signed immediately after they met with the NFL’s commissioner.
Simpson, Love and a host of others added their John Hancock, plus the inscription “My 1st NFL auto!” — officially creating a 1-of-1 piece.
Mendoza, who was not physically at the draft, got similar treatment at his destination party.
Hobbyists who wanted to get their hands on the one-of-a-kind mementos had to go through a unique process to be in the running for them. Topps gave fans a deadline of 72 hours to put in their orders for the cards, with base, unsigned versions of the items costing $11.99 apiece.
At random, the 1-of-1 cards would be swapped out for the base versions. Fifteen other editions that players signed throughout the night would also be replaced, Topps said.
Mendoza led all draft prospects with 126,501 pieces bought. Love came in second with 18,430. Simpson rounded out the top three with 12,406.
Los Angeles’ pick, of course, was a controversial one — many thought the Rams, who are in win-now mode, should have drafted a more pro-ready player like Makai Lemon or Kenyon Sadiq instead of a backup quarterback.
Nonetheless, card enthusiasts sure seem to be betting it turns out all right for LA.
