Zaire Franklin
Linebacker · Indianapolis Colts
Panini Mosaic ##163 (verified based on 2023 Checklist)
Year & Era
2023 — Current/Chrome Era
Card Type
Base Silver Prizm/Refractor Parallel
Grade
Raw — appears NM-MT (Near Mint to Mint)
Rarity
Common Parallel; Silver Prizms are unnumbered but carry a shorter print run than base cards.
Overall Assessment
A clean, well-centered example of a top-tier NFL linebacker's shiny parallel. Ideal for Colts fans and completionist set builders.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears NM-MT (Near Mint to Mint)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approx 55/45 Left to Right; appears slightly heavy on the right side. Top-Bottom appears balanced.
Surface Condition
Likely Glossy/Near Mint. Typical chromium surfaces are prone to faint hairline scratches, which are hard to detect under low lighting.
Corner Condition
Corners appear sharp with no visible blunting or white showing in the current photograph.
Edge Condition
Left and Right edges appear clean; bottom edge shows no significant chipping common with chrome stock.
Print Quality
High. Consistent color saturation and sharp image resolution, typical of the Mosaic brand. Minimal print lines visible.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $5.00 (Raw); Graded PSA 10 approx $25.00 - $35.00
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy appears to have slightly better-than-average centering compared to many 2023 Panini releases which suffered from severe off-center cuts.
Authentication Tips
Look for the Panini logos and Mosaic 'M' branding; check for the appropriate card stock thickness and the rainbow light refraction characteristic of Silver Mosaics.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading unless for personal collection; the market value of a defensive player's non-rookie base parallel rarely offsets grading fees.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; card appears authentic and unaltered.
Provenance Notes
Likely pulled from a 2023 Panini Mosaic Retail Blaster, Mega Box, or Hobby Box.
Historical Context
Zaire Franklin has evolved into one of the NFL's premier tacklers, setting the Colts' franchise record for tackles in a single season.
Market Trends
Stable/Low. Defensive players typically have lower market ceilings than offensive skill positions. Franklin is a tackle machine, which keeps his value steady for Colts team collectors.
Investment Potential
Low. As a veteran base parallel of a defensive player, this is more suited for a team set collector than a financial investor.
Similar Cards
Shaquille Leonard Mosaic parallels, Roquan Smith Silver Prizms, or Fred Warner Optic Holos.
Display & Preservation
Store in a PVC-free penny sleeve and top loader to prevent surface scratches and edge chipping.
Interesting Facts
Franklin was a 7th round pick (235th overall) who became a multi-year team captain, making his cards popular among 'underdog' story collectors.