Buzz Break: 2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks 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 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: 
34 of 100 (34 percent)
Duplicates: 1

Notables found on base cards – Tom Brady, Nick Saban, Joe Namath, Roger Staubach, Deshaun Watson, Andrew Luck, John Elway, Cam Newton, Jerry Rice, Terry Bradshaw, J.J. Watt, Antonio Brown, LaDainian Tomlinson, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Eric Dickerson, Michael Irvin, Brian Bosworth

Insert cards: 5 (all in gallery below with some base)
Game Day Ticket (2) – Mike White, Ronald Jones II
Old School Colors (1) – Tim Tebow
School Colors (1) – Mason Rudolph
Collegiate Connections (1) – Cortland Sutton & Cole Beasley

Autographs/Memorabilia: 4*
College Ticket autographs (1) – Jordan Whitehead
Panini Rewards points (1) – 150 (* -- already redeemed for three autographs) 

What's Buzz-worthy: As said in a past break, 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 included Panini Rewards points, which I turned into three Contenders NFL Playoff Tickets (/99) of Reggie Ragland for my stash, so it felt like a win (though I would have liked to win a little more having to use points). My auto in this box was of a fourth-rounder currently with Tampa Bay and got his first action on Sunday (four tackles). ... 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. I just wish there were more of them. Hobby boxes are the way to go with this one (six autos per box, link above) but if you want to dabble at a lower price, rip a blaster. With two autos per, even if they're not big names, it's one of the better options for football at retail if you ask me. 

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

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