Fernando Mendoza Leads Early 2026 Topps Flagship Football Sales

Quarterbacks Lead Early Rookie Demand in 2026 Topps Flagship Football

Collectors have wasted little time chasing the biggest rookie cards from 2026 Topps Flagship Football. The product has been available to the public for just a few days, but early sales already show a clear trend at the top of the market: quarterback cards are leading the way.

That should not come as a surprise in a release built around a new rookie class. Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, has quickly become the most prominent name in the product, while Drew Allar has also drawn strong attention from collectors. A few other rookies have cracked the early leaderboard as well, but the highest sales so far are being driven by premium quarterback and chase-player cards.

Below is a look at the top rookie sales in 2026 Topps Flagship Football since the product released on Aug. 21.

Top Rookie Sales So Far

6. Mike Washington Jr. 1991 Platinum Auto 1/1 - $1,500

The highest rookie sale so far for a one-of-one autograph belongs to Mike Washington Jr., a fourth-round pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. His card comes in the 1991 35th Anniversary style and includes a sticker autograph.

While this sale set the early mark for a 1/1 rookie auto, the source suggests that other running backs from the class could eventually push higher. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were specifically mentioned as names that could see stronger prices in the same platinum one-of-one format.

5. Drew Allar First Signature Auto Red Ink /5 - $1,650

Drew Allar’s First Signature Auto Red Ink /5 is the highest rookie sale so far for that autograph line. The card’s appeal comes from both its scarcity and its format. First Signatures feature on-card autographs, which gives the card added collector appeal compared with sticker autos.

Allar has posted strong early hobby value despite not having a clear path to playing time this season. Still, the upside remains part of the draw. The third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers is tied to a franchise that could be looking for a long-term answer at quarterback after Aaron Rodgers retires at the end of the season.

4. Kenyon Sadiq Real One Black Auto /10 - $2,100

Kenyon Sadiq’s Real One Black Auto /10 has also landed among the top early rookie sales. The tight end was the No. 16 overall pick and is expected to see plenty of targets during his rookie season with the Jets.

The sale stands out because tight end cards do not usually generate this level of early hobby buzz. Even so, Sadiq has already shown enough appeal to rank near the top of the product’s first wave of rookie sales, and the card remains one of the more notable early hits from release day.

3. Fernando Mendoza First Signature Auto Blue Ink - $3,050

Mendoza’s First Signature Auto Blue Ink is one of the clearest examples of how quickly the market has moved around his cards. As the No. 1 pick, Mendoza entered the product with obvious hobby attention, and his base First Signature Auto has already seen a wide range of sale prices.

The blue ink version is the base autograph in the First Signatures line. Other versions include gold ink, limited to 50 copies, and red ink, limited to five copies. Early sales for the blue ink card opened between $900 and $1,700 on release day, but the ceiling has climbed since then. One copy sold for $2,550 on Aug. 23, and another reached $3,050 on Aug. 26.

That kind of movement shows how quickly collectors are adjusting to Mendoza’s market in the opening days of the release.

2. Drew Allar Autograph Rookie Patch Red /5 - $3,300

Allar’s Autograph Rookie Patch Red /5 sits just behind the top rookie sale list and has already established itself as one of the most desirable early cards in the product. The low print run and the combination of autograph and patch help explain the strong price.

The Steelers connection also adds a layer of interest, especially since Allar played college football not far from where he is beginning his professional career. The black-and-yellow patch detail gives the card a strong visual appeal as well.

Another copy of the same card has already sold for $2,500, showing that the market for this low-numbered Allar rookie patch auto is active in the first days after release.

1. Fernando Mendoza All Kings SSP - $6,500

The top rookie sale in 2026 Topps Flagship Football so far is Fernando Mendoza’s All Kings SSP, which sold for $6,500. All Kings is described as the most sought-after case hit in several Flagship products, and it made its football debut this year.

With Mendoza serving as the chase player, the card has the kind of combination that tends to drive the biggest early prices. The All Kings design also offers a different look and feel from most of the cards in the product, which adds to its grail-level appeal for collectors.

Another Mendoza All Kings has already sold for $4,800, which currently ranks as the second-highest rookie sale in the product. The market may still be finding its level, though, because Mendoza’s Gold 1/1 version of the All Kings SSP is currently listed for $349,000.

What the Early Market Says About the Product

The first few days of sales from 2026 Topps Flagship Football make the hierarchy in the product easy to see. Mendoza is the clear headline name, and his cards are commanding the highest prices across both autograph and SSP categories. Allar has also emerged as a strong early draw, especially in low-numbered autograph and patch-auto formats.

Beyond the quarterbacks, Kenyon Sadiq’s early performance shows that select non-quarterback rookies can still break into the top tier when the card, player, and numbering line up. Mike Washington Jr.’s one-of-one sale rounds out the list and gives a first look at how the running back market is developing in the set.

With the product still in its opening stretch, these sales may not hold their spots for long. But for now, 2026 Topps Flagship Football is being defined by premium rookie quarterback cards, low-numbered autographs, and the debut of the All Kings SSP in football.