Top 15 Football Cards for Every Collector - 1980-present

Whether you’ve been at it a long time or you’re just starting out, the below list represents the 15 card modern (1980+) football cards that we think every collector must own. A few notes:

1. No numbered cards - many key numbered cards are out of reach for most collectors.

2. Base cards only.

3. Only one card per player.

4. The list is in chronological order.

Top 10 cards for every collector:

1. 1980-81 Topps Joe Montana

2. 1982 Topps Lawrence Taylor

3. 1984 Topps Dan Mario

4. 1984 Topps John Elway

5. 1986 Topps Jerry Rice

6. 1988 Topps Bo Jackson

7. 1989 Score Barry Sanders

8. 1989 Score Deion Sanders

9. 1990 Score Supplemental Emmitt Smith

10. 1998 Topps Chrome Peyton Manning

11. 1998 Topps Chrome Randy Moss

12. 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady

13. 2001 Topps Drew Brees

14. 2005 Topps Chrome Aaron Rodgers

15. 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes

So, where did we get it wrong? What other card should crack the top 15? And what should it replace?