Buzz Break: 2018 Panini Football cards (blaster box)

From time to time, Buzz will break a box of something and post the results here. Like this and want to see more? Or maybe there's a box you'd want to see busted? Send Buzz an email at BlowoutBuzz@blowoutcards.com.

The box: 2018 Panini Football cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: Initially only at retail BlowoutCards.com (when available)

Packs per box: 11
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 88
Base set completion: 
77 of 300 (26 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jameis Winston, Odell Beckham Jr., Jared Goff, T.J. Watt, Carson Wentz, Alvin Kamara, Antonio Brown, Von Miller

Insert/short-print cards: 10 (all in gallery below with notable base)
Rookie Cards (2) – Jaleel Scott, Rashaad Penny
Blue Knight Rookie Cards (1) – Derwin James
Blue Knight (3) – Michael Thomas, Jeremy Hill, Jordan Poyer
Human Highlight Reel (1) – Le'Veon Bell
Pillars of Excellence (1) – Ezekiel Elliott
Champions of Tomorrow (1) – Jared Goff
Lightspeed (1) – Tavon Austin

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Knights of the Round (1) – Ronald Jones II

What's Buzz-worthy: This Panini retail-only brand has been a meaty affordable and relatively fun set to collect the last couple years but this year's version -- at least in this box format -- has been refined to put the focus on its basics of collecting with almost a third of the inserts/rookie short-prints than a box last year. Depending on what you like, that might be a good thing or that might be a bad thing. For me? I like a meaty mess of inserts and names to flesh out a break more than basic cards -- but I do get a preferred guaranteed memorabilia card in blasters. A different ($29.99) box of this one at retail has just one pack with 20 cards but guarantees an autograph every time. (I'll probably do one of those here at some point -- didn't see one on today's hunt.) The base set has a very minimal design -- no team logos with a full-bleed feel in the realm of 1991 Pro Set or 1991 Stadium Club (good things to me) -- with an array of inserts that have more standard approaches but still feel like they go with this one (based on the feel of the backs as there's more continuity there). With the large base set, you'll find a lot of players in this one you may not find elsewhere -- backup quarterbacks potentially getting their new shots such as A.J. McCarron in Buffalo or defensive stars and kickers -- and that could spark interest with dedicated collectors. Big money? Probably not, but they're touches that will make collector-minded completists and team fans feel good about some finds that aren't of the big mojo hit variety. While I'm not a big fan of some of the changes made in this brand, they're definitely shaking it up to keep it fresh and keep it simple and that's something I do appreciate. Making some of the pulls here a bit tougher (you only get two Rookie Cards in these boxes based on this one, for example) and that should help them carry a little more value as those who don't want to rip into packs or boxes will just pick up the guy they want -- but with fewer of them out there.

Product Grade: B
Box Grade: B
Fun Grade: B

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