THE 2019 ROOKIE CLASS ELITE DEBUTED IN LOS ANGELES FOR THE 25TH ANNUAL ROOKIE PREMIERE PRESENTED BY PANINI AMERICA.
PHOTOS: David Lee and Panini America
Former Oklahoma receiver Marquise Brown is a self-proclaimed Heisman-maker. Not in those exact words, but he does jokingly point out that he was Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray’s favorite target during their Heisman campaigns, which happen to be during Brown’s only two seasons at OU. Now he joins former Heisman winners Lamar Jackson, Robert Griffin III and Mark Ingram in Baltimore.
Quarterback Will Grier is already 24 years old, and is a husband and father. When he got the call that he would be a Carolina Panther, all he could think of was how fortunate he was to be staying home. He’s from the Charlotte, N.C., area and will back up Cam Newton this season.
Raiders running back Josh Jacobs was homeless for some of his childhood, and ultimately wants to use his story to provide a safe facility for kids to pursue their dreams and explore their talents.
If given just one junk food for the rest of his life, Giants QB Daniel Jones would go with Bojangles fried chicken.
Patriots rookie receiver N’Keal Harry was 3 years old during Tom Brady’s rookie season.
Redskins running back Bryce Love majored in human biology and plans to be a doctor.
Eagles running back Miles Sanders thinks it’s time for NCAA players to earn a paycheck.
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock was a huge Pokémon fan and card collector.
Titans receiver A.J. Brown loves opening packs of cards with kids.
You learn a lot about each rookie at the NFLPA Rookie Premiere presented by Panini America. You see the young rookies interact not only as athletes, but also as competitors, professionals and friends. is year’s Rookie Premiere debuted 40 elite stars from the 2019 rookie class. ousands of photos and autographs were captured that will be used in card products over the next year. is year marked the 25th anniversary for the event, which just happens to coincide with the 100th NFL season.
Rookies signed cards for up-coming 2019 products such as Luminance, Elements, National Treasures Collegiate, Flawless Collegiate, Immaculate Collection Collegiate, Prestige, Origins and online-exclusive Instant Access. By far, the most popular cards among the rookies were the metal Elements cards, signed in different color ink.
Panini’s intricate organization is pretty impressive to see. Cards and sets are packed in individual boxes with clear instructions on where to sign and what color ink to use. Any serial numbering or special inscriptions might be hand-signed for rare cards. Panini Instant also designed and created the first full NFL uniform cards of these top rookies during the weekend.
Beckett Football chatted with most of the rookies throughout the event about the transition from college to the NFL, their expectations for the season, and seeing their first licensed trading cards.