Buzz Break: 2016 Panini Football

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: 2016 Panini football cards
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for blasters) 

Packs per box: 24
Cards per pack: 10
Cards in this box: 240
Base set completion: 
144 of 200 (72 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Insert/short-print cards: 95
Rookie Cards (48) – Notables include Jared Goff, Carson Wentz, Connor Cook, Paxton Lynch, Braxton Miller, Shaq Lawson
Sacrifice diecut (6) – Jameis Winston, Jordan Mathews, Eddie Lacy, Emmanuel Sanders, Aaron Donald, Jay Cutler (/199)
Sacrifice rookies diecut (3) – Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack, DeForest Buckner (/199)
Blue parallel (1) – Thomas Duarte (/99)
Shining Armor parallel (2) – DeMaryius Thomas, Jonathan Stewart
Shining Armor rookies parallel  (1) – Su’a Cravens
Chainmail Foil parallel (2) – Julian Edelman, Jadeveon Clowney
Chainmail Foil rookies parallel (1) – Su’a Cravens
Templar parallel (6) – Devonta Freeman, Steve Smith Sr., Travis Benjamin, Sam Bradford, J.J. Watt, Brandin Cooks
Templar rookies parallel  (2) – Rico Gathers, Xavien Howard
Offensive Rookie of the Year Predictor (1) – Paxton Lynch
Royal Family (1) – Clay Matthews & Jake Matthews
Legends of the Shield (4) – Joe Theismann, Tony Dorsett, Larry Csonka, Mike Singletary
Accolades (4) – Ted Hendricks, Jerry Rice, Eric Dickerson, Terrell Davis
Combine Champions (5) – Josh Doctson, Joey Bosa, Travis Feeney, D.J. Foster, Jalen Ramsey
Decorated (4) – Peyton Manning, Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Adrian Peterson
MVP Predictor (1) – Adrian Peterson
Knight School (3) – Connor Cook, Jalen Ramsey, Vernon Hargreaves III

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Squires Jerseys (1) – Joey Bosa

What’s Buzz-worthy: This retail-only brand has a relatively beefy 300-card checklist with a 200-card basic set with 100 slightly shorter-printed rookies (two per pack) capping it. … The only main flaw spotted here is that the base cards have an arguably overbearing frame (at least it’s to help facilitate diecuts) and some of the photos are too distantly cropped inside them. Otherwise, this one is a beefy rip that guarantees a hit in every 24-pack box and plenty of variety and fun. There are a ton of parallels and even more inserts — and they are inserts that are smartly done. This box had a pair of Predictor cards good for complete insert sets later (if players win awards) along with inserts highlighting notables at the NFL Combine, past award-winners, career statistical standouts and NFL families. These have a bit of a Pacific feel in their look (Panini has revived some of those brands in recent years) but they still feel like they belong here. This is an excellent flagship-style set with a bit more and a perfect brand for a beginner who might want more — but also not a bad brand for someone who just wants stuff simplified. (Though some of the parallels can be a tad confusing.) Without the border and distant photos issue, this one could easily be a contender to become the next Score. And, even with them, it still might be with a fun mix of past and present players that offer some history with the chase of the new stars, too. This is a definite collectors product.

Win Our Hits: Keep an eye on the Buzz Twitter contest for giveaways of hits from this and other selected boxes to come … you never know when they might happen.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A
Fun Grade: A

And now for a new feature on future Buzz breaks … you grade this box:

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