Ernest Jones
Linebacker · Los Angeles Rams
Wild Card Matte Football #Not visible (Estimated MB-EJ or similar)
Year & Era
2021-2022 — Modern Era (Post-Panini/Fanatics Transition)
Card Type
Base Rookie Card (Non-Licensed)
Grade
Raw — Appears Good to Very Good (Estimated 4-5)
Rarity
Common. This is a base card from a high-volume, non-licensed sets that generally lack artificial scarcity.
Overall Assessment
This is a budget-tier rookie card of a solid NFL linebacker. Due to the lack of official team logos and the visible surface wear/bowing, it is best suited for a personal collection or a Rams team fan rather than an investor.
Condition Grade
Raw — Appears Good to Very Good (Estimated 4-5)
Centering Assessment
Front: Poor. The card shows significant tilt/diamond cut and is heavy to the right. Back: Not visible.
Surface Condition
Poor. Visible warping/bowing of the card stock and significant surface scratches and scuffing are apparent in the matte finish.
Corner Condition
Fair. Softening and whitening are visible on the bottom right and top right corners. The corners lack the sharpness required for high-grade modern cards.
Edge Condition
Fair. Roughness and minor chipping are visible along the right edge, likely due to the non-licensed card stock quality.
Print Quality
Average for Wild Card Matte. These sets often suffer from chipping and bowing. The image saturation is deep, but clarity is limited by the matte texture.
Estimated Value
$0.50 - $2.00 USD
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy is in below-average condition compared to pack-fresh examples due to significant bowing and surface wear.
Authentication Tips
Authenticity is generally not an issue for this specific card as there is no financial incentive to counterfeit it. Look for the Wild Card logo and matte finish texture.
Grading Recommendation
Not Recommended. The cost of grading (typically $15-$25+) far exceeds the secondary market value of the card.
Red Flags
No signs of alteration, but severe bowing indicates poor storage conditions (likely high humidity).
Provenance Notes
Likely sourced from a retail 'Wild Card Matte' box or a variety pack found at big-box retailers.
Historical Context
Ernest Jones was a key defensive piece for the Rams' Super Bowl LVI win; however, non-licensed cards (lacking NFL logos) hold less historical significance in the hobby.
Market Trends
Defensive players generally see lower market demand than offensive stars. Price remains stable at a bulk/common level.
Investment Potential
Low. Defensive non-licensed base cards rarely appreciate in value regardless of player performance.
Similar Cards
2021 Donruss Ernest Jones RC, 2021 Panini Prizm Ernest Jones RC, 2021 Sage Hit Ernest Jones.
Display & Preservation
Recommend immediate placement in a penny sleeve and top-loader to prevent further bowing and to protect the matte surface from fingerprints.
Interesting Facts
Wild Card was a major brand in the 1990s known for 'Stripe' parallels that returned to the market in the early 2020s as a budget-friendly option.