Now that the dust has settled on the draft and undrafted free agency, all eyes turn to upcoming minicamps and the eventual start of training camp. So, what about between now and then?
If you’re a collector of sports cards, love watching athletes jump into crash bags, or just love football, it’s time to get amped for the 2026 NFLPA Rookie Premiere!
Every year, a curated list of rookies venture to Los Angeles for a few days of photo shoots, autograph sessions, along with branding and licencing classes.
When they say autograph sessions, this isn’t just a jersey here or there from fans who attend. No, this is when the thousands of rookie cards, stickers, and other whatnots are signed for inclusion in various card and memorabilia sets.
According to this Sports Collectors Daily article, there are 20 wide receivers, 2 tight ends, 7 running backs, 7 quarterbacks, and 6 defensive players that will attend.
So who will represent the orange and blue? They didn’t have a 1st or 2nd round pick!
Players are generally selected for the Rookie Premiere based on a combination of college performance, NFL Draft position, on-field potential, and marketability — factors that also tend to drive early trading card value and brand interest. Now in its third decade, the event serves as the league’s premier early marketing and content-creation platform for top rookies.
When it comes to on-field potential and marketability, the NFLPA identified RB Jonah Coleman, the Broncos 4th round selection at #108, as someone worth inviting. He joins recent Broncos attendees, RJ Harvey, Pat Bryant, Bo Nix, Audric Estime, and Troy Franklin.
While not every NFL rookie (and certainly Broncos rookies, for that matter) pans out, some do. Here’s hoping that Coleman can can have the kind of impact on the Broncos that their representative from the 2011 NFLPA Rookie Premiere had on the league. While it’s unfair to compare him Von Miller, the sky is the limit at this point. That’s why they’re going to ask him to sign all those cards.
