It depends on why you’re collecting.
If you’re looking to complete sets and have a full collection for a particular team or season, base card collecting is essential. Thankfully, you shouldn’t expect to pay high prices for base cards as they’re extremely common.
This ease of access also means base cards aren’t ideal for investors. Even a base card with a superb grade isn’t likely to sell for more than a few hundred dollars.
If you’re hoping to make money from your football cards, it’s better to focus on autograph cards, variations on base cards, and rookie cards. Any cards that feature swatches and memorabilia will also fetch higher prices in the collector’s market.