Buzz Break: 2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks (blaster)

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The box: 2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks football cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 7
Cards per pack: 6
Cards in this box: 42
Base set completion: 
35 of 100 (35 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables found on base cards – Shaun Alexander, Derrick Henry, John Hannah, Amari Cooper, Ozzie Newsome, Steve Spurrier, John Elway, Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss, Derek Carr, Mitchell Trubisky, Dak Prescott, Marcus Allen, Barry Sanders, Matt Ryan, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Tim Tebow, Dick Butkus

Insert cards: 5 (all in gallery below with some base)
Game Day Ticket (2) – Derrius Guice, Kerryon Johnson
Old School Colors (1) – Peyton Manning
School Colors (1) – Luke Falk
Collegiate Connections (1) – Saquon Barkley & Mike Gesicki

Autographs/Memorabilia: 2
College Ticket autographs (1) – Khalid Hill
College Ticket autographs Blue (1) – Byron Pringle

What's Buzz-worthy: As said in a past break of this one here, the formula for this one is very similar to past years but with far fewer insert cards per box but with a crisp and more sophisticated feel vs. at least last year. It's an improvement -- and I've had no problems with past Contenders Draft sets -- and one of the better Contenders ticket designs of the last few years, too. This particular box's autos are a pair of undrafted guys who have been signed (and one a guy I already pulled -- this is just my third blaster). The design here is really solid despite the limitations of historic college photos. The addition of some coaches helps flesh out the college feel more -- they are a big deal in their states -- making it slightly more than just a basic draft picks release with old-timers. (Here's hoping for notable college coach autos in the mix at some point.) The inserts are similar to past releases here names-wise but these, too, have a more detailed feel to the design. This box was a winner on the insert front and the base cards are packed with stars.

Product Grade: A
Box Grade: A-
Fun Grade: B+

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