2018 Donruss Rookie Heat Check: Base vs. Press Proof vs. Optic (Real Comps, Smart Buys)

2018 Donruss Rookie Heat Check: What’s Really Moving—Base, Press Proof, or Optic?

Few entry-level football sets have the staying power of 2018 Donruss. The Rated Rookie design is iconic, the retail-friendly parallels are still widely hunted, and Donruss Optic adds a chrome chase without breaking the bank. Using CardGrader.AI submissions and verified eBay comps, we mapped how the year’s biggest rookies perform across base, Press Proof, and Optic. Along the way, we filtered out lookalikes (Optic vs. Donruss paper, insert sets, and team-labeled listings) to avoid inflated assumptions. If you want a repeatable way to price your own cards, scan them with our AI grader in seconds.

Key takeaway at a glance

• Base Donruss Rated Rookies are affordable, liquid entry points for stars like Josh Allen and Saquon Barkley.
• Retail Press Proofs (especially Blue) add premium without the risk of serial numbering—great for Lamar Jackson.
• Optic commands a clear step-up; know the difference between paper Donruss and Optic to comp correctly.

Josh Allen: the Donruss Base Benchmarks

2018 Donruss Josh Allen Base remains the bellwether for the set’s value curve. Our submitted copy graded an AI 9.50 and presented strong on centering, edges, and surfaces—matching how high-end Allen papers typically look when they cross to PSA/BGS.

Filtered comps (exact Rated Rookie #304 paper, not Optic or inserts):

• PSA 10: $225 and $224.50 (8/3–8/4 sales)
• PSA 9: $99–$112.50 in early August
• Raw NM-MT singles: typically $63–$66; occasional outliers exist

We excluded Optic and inserts like Gridiron Kings. After filtering to true #304 base paper, the market is tight and rational—PSA 10s cluster near $225 while clean raws sit near $65.

Grading lift: raw $65 → PSA 9 ~$100 → PSA 10 ~$225

Note how Optic changes the picture: a raw Optic Rated Rookie sale hit ~$100 on 8/4, and a Pink Prizm optical parallel landed around $250 raw on the same day—proof that chrome and color matter. If you’re buying showside, use Fast Scan to instantly separate Donruss paper from Optic prices before you commit.

Lamar Jackson: Blue Press Proof is the Retail Sweet Spot

2018 Donruss Lamar Jackson Blue is the retail Press Proof (non-serial-numbered) that consistently commands a premium over base without jumping into high-end serials. We filtered comps to the paper Blue Press Proof #317 (not Optic Blue /149 or other colors).

• PSA 10: $250–$300 in late July
• PSA 9: $66–$117 in July–Aug; SGC 9.5: $78
• Raw (true Blue PP, single card): ~$41–$70 through July

This is a classic mid-tier chase: stronger scarcity signal than base, widely recognizable, and liquid across grades. Beware cross-listings that say “Blue” but are Optic (serial-numbered /149)—we removed those to get a clean read.

For advanced chasers, Optic Blue /149 (chrome) is a different animal entirely, often trading in the low four-figures in PSA 10 given recent comps. Decide whether you want retail color pop (Press Proof Blue) or numbered chrome—both can win, but budgets and volatility differ.

Saquon Barkley: Base That Still Sells

2018 Donruss Saquon Barkley Base remains a steady mover, helped by his continued relevance. We filtered to true Rated Rookie #306 paper sales (removing Optic, lots, and mismatch titles).

• PSA 10: ~$100–$120 (multiple June comps at $99–$120)
• PSA 9: typically $22–$50
• Raw: common range ~$10–$30; higher outliers likely condition or bundling effects

We saw a few raw listings labeled with current team references; the card is still the same #306 Giants rookie. Filtering to single-card, correctly titled listings gives the truer $10–$30 raw band.

Optic pushes premiums here too: recent PSA 10 Optic Holo sales cleared ~$189, underscoring how chrome refractor finishes compound demand.

Baker Mayfield: The Affordable Doorway into the Set

2018 Donruss Baker Mayfield Base is one of the most accessible ways to collect 2018 Donruss Rated Rookies.

• PSA 10: ~$36–$55 across late June–early July
• PSA 9: ~$28–$30; BGS 9.5s have traded around the mid-teens
• Raw: $3–$15 for clean singles

After filtering out Press Proofs and Optic, the base remains a low-risk buy. If you’re grading, be picky on corners—our AI scan flagged small back-corner specking even on otherwise sharp copies.

Parallels primer: how to comp fast (and correctly)

• Donruss Base (paper): Rated Rookie design, card #s like #303–#317. Best liquidity; grade-sensitive.
• Press Proof (Blue/Red/Green): Retail color stamp. Not numbered, but clearly premium to base. Great mid-tier targets.
• Donruss Optic (chrome): Different stock and numbering; parallels like Holo, Pink, and Blue /149 run hotter. Don’t mix paper and Optic comps.

We explicitly filtered eBay results to exact matches (set, card #, parallel, and slab grade) and removed insert sets and search spillover. Do the same before you price or trade. Or let us do it for you—sign up for CardGrader.AI and get free credits to start evaluating your collection.

Grading math: when does it pay?

• Josh Allen base: raw ~$65 → PSA 9 ~$100 → PSA 10 ~$225. Clean surfaces and centering are crucial.
• Lamar Blue Press Proof: raw ~$50–$70 → PSA 9 ~$85–$117 → PSA 10 ~$250–$300. A strong value ladder without serial risk.
• Saquon base: raw ~$10–$30 → PSA 9 ~$22–$50 → PSA 10 ~$100–$120. Entry-friendly, still meaningful upside.
• Mayfield base: raw ~$3–$15 → PSA 9/10 modest premiums; crack-and-resubmit rarely makes sense—buy the grade you want.

Not sure if your copy can gem? Scan it with our AI grader. You’ll get corner/edge/surface callouts (e.g., micro-specks on corners or faint surface lines) so you can decide whether to submit or sell raw.

At-the-show checklist (from real AI condition notes)

• Corners: tiny white specks on back corners are common on Donruss paper and can drop a gem to a 9.
• Edges: paper chipping along colored borders is an instant downgrade—run a bright light along the edge.
• Surface: fingerprints and faint print lines hide value; a gentle microfiber pass (pre-grading) goes a long way.

Pricing cards on the fly? Use Fast Scan on your phone to separate Donruss vs. Optic and pull recent match-grade comps in seconds.

Final word

2018 Donruss is still a collector-friendly playground with clear upgrade paths. Base is liquid, Press Proof Blue adds pop without serial risk, and Optic delivers chrome premiums. If you filter comps correctly and mind condition, the set rewards both collectors and flippers. Ready to quantify your edge? Sign up for CardGrader.AI, get free credits, and turn your next box-dive into real numbers.