There was a time when Deuce McAllister seemed to be a safe bet to be a fixture on football card hot lists for years to come. After spending his rookie season on the New Orleans Saints playing understudy to Ricky Williams, the Ole Miss product exploded during his first two years as a feature back, racking up 3029 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns. Collectors took note, even though the Saints continued to be, well, the Saints.
Then McAllister fell victim to the injury bug, playing only 19 total games during 2004 and 2005. His card values, already trailing those of 2001 draft classmates Michael Vick and LaDainian Tomlinson, lost ground to others like Drew Brees and Chad Johnson. Things looked even darker for the future of McAllister's collectibles when the Saints added Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush in the 2006 draft, calling Deuce's role in the offense into question.
Fortunately, new coach Sean Payton had no intention of leaving a healthy McAllister out of the game plan. Playing thunder to Bush's lightning, McAllister rolled to his fourth 1000-yard season and had his highest TD total since 2002. The Philadelphia Eagles found out the hard way that stopping number 26 is still no easy task when he bulldozed his way to 163 total yards and a pair of scores in the Saints' 27-24 playoff victory.
Few NFL backs possess McAllister's blend of size and speed, and he should have a number of productive seasons left in the tank. Collectors hunting for his rookie cards are in luck, as he has numerous varieties - over 40 in all - to fit any budget. And with the hobby spotlight in New Orleans shining brightest on Bush (and in an ironic twist, Brees as well), all of them are likely to be bargains for a player of his talent.
Selected Deuce McAllister Rookie Cards
| Set | Number | Other Info |
| Absolute Memorabilia | 156 | jersey card, #'d to 850 |
| Bowman Chrome | 167 | #'d to 1999 |
| Bowman's Best | 112 | jersey card, #'d to 999 |
| Donruss Classics | 110 | #'d to 475 |
| Donruss Elite | 112 | #'d to 500 |
| Finest | 126 | #'d to 1000 |
| Fleer Genuine | 128 | jersey card, #'d to 1000 |
| Fleer Showcase | 118 | #'d to 500 |
| Leaf Certified Materials | 124 | jersey card, #'d to 400 |
| Leaf Rookies and Stars | 221 | |
| Pacific Dynagon | 105 | autographed, #'d to 199 |
| Pacific Impressions | 183 | #'d to 117 |
| Pacific Invincible | 275 | #'d to 299 |
| Pacific Prism Atomic | 178 | #'d to 506 |
| Playoff Contenders | 123 | autographed, #'d to 500 |
| Playoff Honors | 215 | jersey card, #'d to 725 |
| Private Stock | 140 | #'d to 200 |
| Quantum Leaf | 208 | SP |
| Score Select | 281 | #'d to 275 |
| SP Authentic | 98 | jersey card, #'d to 800 |
| SP Game Used | 94 | jersey card, #'d to 500 |
| SPx | 91 | auto jersey card, #'d to 250 |
| Titanium | 184 | jersey card, #'d to 75 |
| Topps | 353 | |
| Topps Chrome | 258 | #'d to 999 |
| Topps Debut | 109 | autographed |
| UD Graded | 49 | #'d to 500 |
| Upper Deck Legends | 167 | #'d to 750 |
| Upper Deck Ovation | 142 | #'d to 250 |
| Vanguard | 128 | #'d to 450 |