Rashod Bateman
Wide Receiver · Minnesota Golden Gophers (College) / Baltimore Ravens (NFL)
Wild Card Matte Rookie Design (X-Plode Subset) #Not visible (typical for Wild Card Matte back, not shown)
Year & Era
2021 — Modern/Current Era
Card Type
Prospect/Rookie Card (Unlicensed)
Grade
Estimated 7-8 (Near Mint)
Rarity
Common. Wild Card Matte is a high-volume, unlicensed product found in retail and value boxes.
Overall Assessment
A standard collector's item for a Baltimore Ravens or Minnesota fan. Condition is mid-grade and value is minimal, making it a great 'binder card' rather than an investment piece.
Condition Grade
Estimated 7-8 (Near Mint)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approx 60/40 Top-Bottom and 55/45 Left-Right. Many Wild Card products have full-bleed designs where centering is harder to judge without frame lines.
Surface Condition
Near Mint. Visible surface scratches/scuffs near the 'Matte' logo and on the top-left section of the 'X' design. Dark colors show fingerprinting and silvering easily.
Corner Condition
Lower left corner shows visible white chipping/wear. Top right corner appears slightly soft. These dark-border cards show corner damage significantly.
Edge Condition
Minor chipping along the left vertical edge. Production quality for Wild Card often results in 'rough' edges compared to high-end chrome products.
Print Quality
Average. The foil/matte finish is prone to scuffs. Color saturation on the red 'X' is strong, but overall image sharpness is lower than Panini/Topps licensed equivalents.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $5.00 (USD)
Comparison to Known Examples
Standard copy. This example shows more corner wear on the bottom left than many pack-fresh examples, likely due to handling without a sleeve.
Authentication Tips
Authenticity is rarely an issue for this brand due to low market value. Verify the textured 'Matte' logo and the thickness of the card stock.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading. The cost of grading exceeds the market value of the card, and unlicensed cards have limited resale upside in slabs.
Red Flags
No significant red flags regarding authenticity, but the bottom left corner wear is a significant condition red flag.
Provenance Notes
Likely sourced from a 2021 Wild Card Matte hobby or retail box. These were widely distributed during the 2021 draft season.
Historical Context
Rashod Bateman was a highly touted 1st round pick for the Ravens in 2021. This card captures his final college season aesthetics before his NFL debut.
Market Trends
Stable to Declining. Unlicensed college-uniform cards generally lose value once professional-uniform (NFL licensed) cards are released.
Investment Potential
Low. As an unlicensed card in a college uniform, it will almost always be secondary to his licensed Panini Prizm or National Treasures RCs.
Similar Cards
2021 Panini Prizm Draft Picks Rashod Bateman, 2021 Leaf Draft Rashod Bateman.
Display & Preservation
Place in a penny sleeve and top loader immediately to prevent further edge chipping and surface scuffing.
Interesting Facts
Wild Card was a major brand in the 1990s famous for 'stripe' parallels; this 'Matte' series was part of the brand's modern revival in the early 2020s.