Michael Mayer
Tight End · Las Vegas Raiders
Donruss — Bomb Squad! #Not visible
Year & Era
2023 — Modern Era
Card Type
Insert — Bomb Squad!
Grade
Raw — appears Near Mint to Mint
Rarity
Uncommon case/box hit insert set, though print runs for unnumbered retail/hobby inserts are relatively high compared to SSPs.
Overall Assessment
A visually striking, fun insert card of a promising young tight end. Great for player collectors and set builders, though modest in monetary value.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Near Mint to Mint
Centering Assessment
Front appears reasonably well-centered, roughly 50/50 left to right with minor bottom heavy lean.
Surface Condition
Appears clean with standard Donruss gloss, but subtle micro-scratches are common on this metallic finish under harsh light.
Corner Condition
Sharp corners visible through the penny sleeve, typical of a fresh pull.
Edge Condition
Clean edges with no obvious chipping or silver flaking visible in the holder.
Print Quality
High-gloss comic book style illustration with bright orange and yellow background graphics and clean foil stamping on the player nameplate.
Estimated Value
$5 to $15 USD raw, depending on market demand for tight end inserts.
Comparison to Known Examples
Standard copy for the 2023 Donruss Bomb Squad insert line featuring Michael Mayer.
Authentication Tips
Check for correct Donruss branding in the top-left corner, proper metallic sheen, and crisp typography on the nameplate.
Grading Recommendation
Raw (Not recommended for grading unless part of a bulk submission, as raw value rarely justifies grading fees for non-numbered tight end inserts).
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; standard card protected in a penny sleeve.
Provenance Notes
Pulled from 2023 Donruss Football retail or hobby packs.
Historical Context
Michael Mayer was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders out of Notre Dame, entering the league with high expectations as a premier receiving tight end.
Market Trends
Stable to slightly declining market for tight end non-autograph inserts unless the player has a breakout performance.
Investment Potential
Hold/Speculative. Dependent on Mayer securing a primary role in the Raiders' offense and increasing his target share.
Similar Cards
2023 Donruss Rookie Gridiron Kings, 2023 Donruss Downtown (SSP), 2023 Panini Prizm Rookie Signatures.
Display & Preservation
Store in a penny sleeve and top-loader, or a magnetic one-touch holder, kept away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Interesting Facts
The 'Bomb Squad' insert set uses a vibrant, explosive comic book design aesthetic that contrasts with traditional photography cards.