Michael Thomas
Wide Receiver · New Orleans Saints
2016 Donruss Football #Not visible
Year & Era
2016 — Modern Era
Card Type
Base Rated Rookie Card
Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6 to 7 equivalent due to severe white chipping/print defects on borders)
Rarity
Common base rookie card with a very high print run from modern retail/hobby packs.
Overall Assessment
A nostalgic and popular rookie card of an elite record-setting wide receiver, but severely hampered by factory border chipping and print flaws, making it ideal as a low-cost binder or personal collection copy.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6 to 7 equivalent due to severe white chipping/print defects on borders)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approximately 55/45 Left-Right, 50/50 Top-Bottom
Surface Condition
Fair to Good. Heavy speckled white print spots or debris speckling across the dark borders and imagery.
Corner Condition
Moderate corner wear with slight rounding visible on the top-left and bottom-left corners under close inspection.
Edge Condition
Fair. Significant chipping along the dark borders where the blue/black ink has chipped away to expose the white card stock underneath.
Print Quality
Subpar. The dark border frame is heavily plagued by white speckling/chipping, which is a common factory production issue for 2016 Donruss dark-bordered cards.
Estimated Value
Raw: $2 - $5. Graded (PSA 9): $20 - $35. Graded (PSA 10): Not viable due to condition issues.
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy suffers from significantly worse border chipping and white speckling than a typical gem mint example from this print run.
Authentication Tips
Check for correct card stock thickness, crisp font reproduction on the back, and standard Donruss foil elements on the Rated Rookie logo.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading. The grading fees would exceed the total value of the card given its condition flaws.
Red Flags
No significant red flags for counterfeiting; however, the white spots are factory print chipping/defects rather than alteration.
Provenance Notes
Pulled from standard 2016 Donruss retail or hobby packs, distributed widely across the hobby.
Historical Context
Michael Thomas set the NFL single-season receptions record with 149 catches in 2019, making his 2016 Rated Rookie card highly sought after by Saints fans and wide receiver collectors.
Market Trends
Stable to slightly declining following injuries and decreased production in the latter half of his career.
Investment Potential
Low investment potential for this specific copy due to condition flaws; better to acquire a clean graded copy (PSA 9 or 10) if investing.
Similar Cards
2016 Panini Prizm Michael Thomas RC, 2016 Panini Contenders Michael Thomas RC Auto
Display & Preservation
Standard penny sleeve inside a rigid top loader or magnetic holder, stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Interesting Facts
The 2016 Donruss Rated Rookie set features a retro 1980s aesthetic that is immensely popular among modern collectors.