Imagine yourself as an average NFL cornerback, possessing outstanding speed and standing about five-foot-eleven and 185 pounds. Now imagine lining up across from someone who has five inches and fifty pounds on you - and can run just as fast - and you understand the dilemma defensive backs face when they try to cover Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Players with Johnson's unique set of physical gifts don't come along very often, which is why comparisons to Randy Moss were being thrown around since he was a freshman at Georgia Tech. Johnson set numerous school records while showing none of Moss' questionable attitude, and he left after his junior season rated by nearly every football expert as the number one prospect for the 2007 NFL Draft.
Despite a history of bad luck with highly drafted receivers, the Lions couldn't pass on Johnson with the No. 2 overall pick. Detroit already had Roy Williams and Mike Furrey, but Johnson contributed right away, catching touchdown passes in his first two NFL games, and ended up starting 10 games during his rookie season.
Though Johnson's final totals of 48 catches, 756 yards and four touchdowns weren't spectacular, several of his highlights were. His ability to get to balls in the air and make tough jumping catches is second to none, and it's likely only a matter of time before his production is every bit what was expected of him when he entered the league.
Collectors were high on Johnson at the beginning of 2007, then cooled on him as the Lions sank into their usual funk. That's good news for fans looking to add his rookie cards to their collections, as they can get them before he ascends to the stardom that seems like his destiny. Expect Johnson's autographed rookies to be the ones to watch over the coming years, as he signed in smaller quantities than almost all of his fellow 2007 draftees.
Calvin Johnson 2007 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 252 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Artifacts # 161 - SP
- Bowman # 145
- Bowman Chrome # BC75
- Bowman Sterling # CJO1 - jersey card
- Donruss Classics # 172 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Elite # 118 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 212 - autographed, #'d to 100
- Donruss Threads # 258 - autographed, #'d to 105
- Exquisite Collection # 130 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Finest # 135
- Leaf Certified Materials # 234 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Leaf Limited # 308 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 208 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Playoff Contenders # 123 - autographed w/ announced print run of 525
- Playoff National Treasures # 107 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Playoff NFL Playoffs # 107
- Playoff Prestige # 163
- Score # 351
- Select # 351 - #'d to 599
- SP Authentic # 291 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- SP Chirography # 103 - autographed, #'d to 149
- SP Rookie Threads # 144 - autographed, #'d to 150
- SPx # 220 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- Sweet Spot # 135 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Topps # 320
- Topps Chrome # TC200
- Topps Co-Signers # 86 - #'d to 2249
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 132
- Topps Performance # 116 - #'d to 359
- Topps Total # 475
- Topps Triple Threads # 140 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps TX Exclusive # 103 - #'d to 399
- Ultimate Collection # 103 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Ultra # 203
- Upper Deck # 277
- Upper Deck First Edition # 103
- Upper Deck Premier # 139 - autographed jersey card #'d to 199
- Upper Deck Trilogy # 107 - #'d to 399