Being named the heir apparent to one of the best players in the NFL can be a tough situation. So far, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is handling that job just fine.
Though he was given a high first round rating by many scouts after an excellent college career at Oregon State, Jackson fell to the 24th pick of the 2004 NFL Draft. That allowed him to go to the Rams, where he could learn behind Marshall Faulk. When injuries to the veteran forced Jackson to shoulder a heavier load in his second season, he responded with a 1000-yard effort and eight rushing touchdowns.
That turned out to be just a taste of things to come. As the unquestioned workhorse in 2006, Jackson stepped it up even more with 1528 rushing yards and 13 scores. And though many experts assumed the Rams would have to change their offense without the multi-dimensional Faulk in the fold, Jackson proved to be just as adept at handling passes out of the backfield. Indeed, his 90 receptions fell just three short of team leader Torry Holt's total.
At 231 pounds, Jackson can run between the tackles with the best of them. But he also has surprising speed, as he showed on a 64-yard catch and run for a touchdown in Week 16 against Washington.
That's the kind of combination football card collectors love, and they are warming up to the big back. He may never be the headliner in a class that includes quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers, but his 48 rookie cards may have the most room to grow in value. His SP Authentic # 210 and Bowman Chrome # 224 are his most valuable rookies, but he has several autographed jersey cards - like his Leaf Limited # 231 - that can be had for about half the price.
Steven Jackson 2004 Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 231 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Bazooka # 215
- Bowman # 260
- Bowman Chrome # 224 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Bowman's Best # 115 - jersey card
- Donruss Classics # 230 - #'d to 500
- Donruss Elite # 192 - #'d to 500
- E-X # 51 - #'d to 500
- Finest # 84
- Flair # 67 - #'d to 799
- Fleer Authentix # 108 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Genuine # 86 - #'d to 500
- Fleer Inscribed # 86 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Platinum # 150 - #'d to 499
- Fleer Showcase # 106 - #'d to 599
- Fleer Sweet Sigs # 99 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Tradition # 341
- Greats of the Game # 76 - #'d to 999
- Hot Prospects # 78 - autographed jersey card #'d to 300
- Leaf Certified Materials # 231 - jersey card #'d to 1250
- Leaf Limited # 231 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 281 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Contenders # 174 - autographed with announced print run of 333
- Playoff Hogg Heaven # 178 - #'d to 750
- Playoff Honors # 231 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Prestige # 169 - SP
- Playoff Prime Signatures # 158 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Reflections # 190 - #'d to 450
- Score # 392
- SkyBox LE # 82 - #'d to 99
- SP Authentic # 210 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- SP Game Used # 200 - #'d to 425
- SPx # 215 - autographed jersey card #'d to 375
- Sweet Spot # 284 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Topps # 325
- Topps Chrome # 180
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 111
- Topps Pristine # 144
- Topps Signature # 67
- Topps Total # 364
- UD Diamond All-Star # 98
- UD Diamond Pro Sigs # 98
- Ultimate Collection # 124 - autographed, #'d to 250
- Ultra # 211 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 208
- Upper Deck Finite HG # 271 - #'d to 99
- Upper Deck Foundations # 246 - jersey card #'d to 1299
- Upper Deck Legends # 188 - #'d to 650