The Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move in the 2006 NFL Draft, trading up to the 25th pick to grab the only wide receiver taken in the first round that season, Santonio Holmes. Fans and collectors have to be pleased with the way that decision has panned out, as the Ohio State product has quickly become a feared deep threat and playmaker.
Holmes was a star receiver and kick returner as a Buckeye, and most scouts considered him the best of a fairly weak crop of receivers in 2006. Lacking someone to take attention away from Hines Ward after losing Plaxico Burress to the New York Giants, the Steelers arranged a trade with those same Giants to move up from 32 to 25 to take Holmes.
Though he began his rookie campaign handling return duties, Holmes was able to crack the starting lineup by the end of the season, and he finished with 824 yards and two scores. He improved on both totals in 2007, leading many to predict big things for him in his third season - a time when many receivers make a big developmental step.
Holmes' stats didn't show that step, but he proved during the 2008 NFL Playoffs why he was the Steelers' home run hitter by breaking big plays in the open field in consecutive weeks. His punt return TD against San Diego and receiving TD against Baltimore were both vital to Pittsburgh's successful run to Super Bowl XLIII.
As the Steelers begin contemplating a future without Ward, Holmes is as likely as anyone to become the main option in the passing game, making his 2006 rookie cards the hobby equivalent of growth stocks. It's not too hard to track down his signature either, as more than a dozen of his rookie issues are autographed.
2006 Santonio Holmes Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 269 - jersey card #'d to 849
- Bowman # 115
- Bowman Chrome # 227
- Bowman Sterling # SH1 - jersey card
- Donruss Classics # 142 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Elite # 207 - #'d to 599
- Donruss Gridiron Gear # 213 - jersey card #'d to 50
- Donruss Threads # 252 - autographed, #'d to 120
- Exquisite Collection # 106 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Finest # 155 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Flair Showcase # 233 - #'d to 199
- Fleer # 185
- Hot Prospects # 199 - autographed, #'d to 175
- Leaf Certified Materials # 219 - jersey card #'d to 550
- Leaf Limited # 260 - autographed jersey card #'d to 100
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 278 - autographed jersey card #'d to 449
- Playoff Contenders # 115 - autographed
- Playoff National Treasures # 112 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Playoff NFL Playoffs # 78
- Playoff Prestige # 234
- Score # 365
- Select # 365 - #'d to 599
- SP Authentic # 253 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- SPx # 184 - autographed jersey card #'d to 399
- Sweet Spot # 206 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Topps # 352
- Topps Chrome # 244
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 130
- Topps Heritage # 326
- Topps Paradigm # 101 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps Total # 482
- Topps Triple Threads # 106 - autographed jersey card #'d to 99
- Topps Turkey Red # 205 - SP
- Ultimate Collection # 207 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Ultra # 209 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 220
- Upper Deck Legends # 186 - #'d to 750
- Upper Deck Rookie Debut # 253 - autographed w/ announced print run of 120