Buzz Break: 2017 Donruss 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: 2017 Donruss football cards (blaster box)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for hobby)

Packs per box: 11
Cards per pack: 8
Cards in this box: 88
Base set completion: 
72 of 300 (24 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Deion Sanders, Jameis Winston, Boomer Esiason, Jerry Rice, Mark Brunell, Khalil Mack, Matt Ryan, Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Drew Brees, Mark Ingram, Tony Romo

Insert/short-print cards: 15 
Rookie Cards (SP) (6) – Elijah Hood, DeMarcus Walker, Stacy Coley, Jordan Willis, Malik McDowell, Chris Wormley
Rated Rookies (SP) (5) – O.J. Howard, Donnell Pumphrey, Carlos Henderson, Davis Webb, Deshone Kizer
Red Press Proof (1) – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
All-time Gridiron Kings (1) – Bo Jackson
Salute to Service (1) – Deone Bucannon
Top Targets (1) – Greg Olsen

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Rookie Phenom Jerseys (1) – Wayne Gallman

What’s Buzz-worthy: Panini America’s Donruss brand drops its retro feel for a new season and it’s likely a move that’s in part to make an Optic version of the release much stronger later in the year. Unfortunately, this one just doesn’t feel like a Donruss set to me in how it looks. It feels a lot like a Score or Prestige release. The Optic cards — particularly Prizms and parallels — will look good but the base set here, while crisp and clean, just feels “off” to me for the brand. The one Press Proof parallel in this box does indicate some good looks to come in hobby boxes where you’ll find more of them, though. The base set here is meaty — 300 standard cards capped by 100 short-printed rookies found one per pack between RC logo rookies and Rated Rookies — so you’ll find names you might not expect and that will make landing a lot of top stars in a box a bit tougher. Exclude RCs and you really only get four inserts and a hit — that seems light but it’s actually similar to last year. The memorabilia cards found in these boxes won’t be anywhere else so that’s an extra plus but this one just doesn’t feel as “Donrussy” as the last couple of years. If the design doesn’t jive for you, check out the flagship Panini brand — there’s plenty of inserts, design touches and a hit per box there, too — but if you’re a fan of Donruss keep on ripping. You’ll find a lot to like here.

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

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