Buzz Break: 2021 Donruss Elite NFL 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: 2021 Donruss Elite NFL cards
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of what was in this one.

Packs per box: 4
Cards per pack: 5
Cards in this box: 20
Base set completion: 
12 of 100 (12 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Base cards – Barry Sanders, Tom Brady, Julio Jones, Terry McLaurin, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Tucker, Travis Kelce, Joe Mixon, Derek Carr, Brian Dawkins, Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Brown

Insert cards: 8 (all cards from box in gallery below)
Rookies Aspirations Shimmer (1) – Zach Wilson (/499)
Green parallel (1) – Calvin Ridley
Green rookies parallel (2) – Tamorrion Terry, Davis Mills
Green Field Vision (1) – Patrick Mahomes
Green Full Throttle (1) – Christian McCaffrey
Green Spellbound (2) – Joe Montana (2)

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: A year ago these were considered a premium-priced blaster ($30) but now you don't get a guaranteed hit of some sort for that price. This time, you get one exclusive Aspirations Shimmer card (generally /499) or Status Explosion (generally /275) and that was the highlight here. Finding Wilson on that is a good pull but it's a card that actually hasn't sold for more than $25 on eBay despite it being one of 75 potential rookies to be found ... and then those odds get higher as all 100 veterans also have those parallels. (One in 175 boxes to find any particular player.) This card should still be a stronger one later if he picks up steam so I don't mind it -- but it's also a sign that these could be tougher hauls break-wise without hits (even plain jerseys). I actually have liked this brand in recent years and had some solid finds -- this box was pretty solid otherwise with appearances from Ridley (suits my tastes) and then Mahomes and others ... but it may still fall short if I were paying a premium. (I found mine at suggested retail price so it's on OK box.) Will I rip a ton more? Perhaps ... but it probably wouldn't be a first choice among present retail options out there. Another thing to consider is that, yes, hits and other rarities are possible here -- so if they aren't in every box there is perhaps a better chance at them being for better players. If you're an NFL-only ripper, this one is a no-brainer to open to some degree and in some volume whether it's hobby, FOTL or this format -- all can deliver well in differing ways.

Product Grade: B+
Box Grade: A- (strong numbered rookie to land)
Fun Grade: B

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