Derwin James Jr.
Safety · Los Angeles Chargers
Panini Prizm #226
Year & Era
2023 — Current/Chrome Era
Card Type
Prizm Silver Parallel
Grade
Raw — Appears Near Mint to Mint (Potential 8-9)
Rarity
Common Parallel; Prizm Silvers are high-volume pulls but maintain the baseline 'Silver' desirability for set collectors.
Overall Assessment
A sharp, clean example of a cornerstone defensive player's silver parallel. Ideal for team collectors or Derwin James super-collectors, but not a primary target for high-end investors.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears Near Mint to Mint (Potential 8-9)
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly bottom-heavy and potentially shifted 55/45 right; lighting makes back assessment impossible.
Surface Condition
Near Mint; visible light refractivity suggests clean chrome coating, though binder storage often risks micro-scratching.
Corner Condition
Near Mint; corners appear sharp through the sleeve with no visible whitening or rounding on front-facing points.
Edge Condition
Near Mint; factory silver edges appear clean without the typical chipping seen in high-gloss Prizm sets.
Print Quality
High; standard Panini Prizm finish with sharp photography and distinct rainbow refractor effect.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $5.00 (Raw); $15.00 - $25.00 (PSA 10)
Comparison to Known Examples
Standard copy; centering is average for 2023 Prizm production, which suffered from inconsistent vertical alignment.
Authentication Tips
Verify the Prizm logo text sharpness and the 'Etched' feel of the card border under magnification; check for Panini's characteristic security patterns on the reverse.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for low-tier grading unless chasing a PSA 10 for a personal collection; the cost of grading outweighs the raw market value.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; appears to be an authentic modern retail or hobby pull.
Provenance Notes
Sourced from 2023 Panini Prizm Football packs; currently stored in a standard plastic binder page which is suboptimal for long-term chrome preservation.
Historical Context
Derwin James Jr. is a multi-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro, representing a key defensive anchor for the Chargers during the early 2020s.
Market Trends
Stable/Slightly Declining; defensive players generally hold less value than skill positions, and the market is currently saturated with 2023 Prizm inventory.
Investment Potential
Low; as a veteran defensive parallel in a high-print set, significant appreciation is unlikely unless the player achieves Hall of Fame status.
Similar Cards
Justin Herbert Prizm cards, Joey Bosa Prizm parallels, or 2023 Panini Optic Holo parallels.
Display & Preservation
Move from binder page to a PVC-free penny sleeve and a rigid top loader or magnetic one-touch to prevent surface dimpling and scratches.
Interesting Facts
James wore number 33 for most of his early career before switching to number 3, as seen on this card, following the NFL's relaxed jersey number rules.