Buzz Break: 2022 Panini Chronicles Draft Picks (blaster)

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The box: 2022 Panini Chronicles Draft Picks football cards (blaster)
First Buzz preview: Click here
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for a few formats)

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

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 4
Cards in this box: 24
Chronicles set completion: 
2 of 25 (8 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Chronicles (2) – Desmond Ridder, Jalen Tolbert

Inserts: 22 (all cards from box in gallery below)
Donruss (2) – Christian McCaffrey, Matthew Stafford
Donruss Pink (1) – Nick Chubb
Illusions (1) – Joe Montana
Donruss Optic (1) – David Ojabo
Contenders Optic (2) – Nakobe Dean, David Bell
Legacy (3) – Matt Corral, John Metchie III, Jalen Tolbert
Prestige (2) – Derek Stingley Jr., Breece Hall
Prestige Pink (1) – David Ojabo
Phoenix (1) – Derrick Henry
Recon Pink (1) – John Metchie III
Rookies & Stars (3) – Aaron Donald, Kenneth Walker III, Sam Howell
Score (2) – Eli Manning, Michael Vick
Status Pink (1) – John Metchie III
XR (1) – Lamar Jackson

Autographs/Memorabilia: None

What's Buzz-worthy: Maybe it's just the blur of release delays and not finding stuff the last couple years, but two things surprised me here -- the inclusion of guys who aren't newly drafted players and the size of the box here. These blasters include more cards and more packs than last year but fewer cards per pack ... yet are three cards less per pack than the 2021 NFL counterpart also on shelves at the same time. I have always liked the variety of Chronicles releases in pretty much any sport and this box is just like any other -- I just want more in any box format. This one fared pretty well for my team -- though three cards of one guy didn't feel like an ideal scenario but that could mean good boxes if it's a top name -- and the exclusives here are Rookies & Stars cards or Legacy rookies (I got some of each and parallels, too) as well as Pinks. Both delivered as they likely should but didn't really have a big-feel presence here. I liked seeing the 1992 nods here as those haven't really popped up in recent years for football but I think I like a lessened NFL player presence here vs. new draft picks. I'll do an NFL Chronicles break here soon -- maybe even today -- and that one felt like a lot better break. Some of it might be players in the draft this year -- perhaps a reason the older guys are in -- but the magic of Chronicles' all-in-one approach stands strong no matter what. For a collector who likes the college game, this one is a no-brainer and the price is right vs. the more flipper-friendly NFL version. I didn't review the auto checklist here but if the older guys are also in the mix? This one also has some big-money rookie autos possible -- but if you're chasing that hit the hobby boxes.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: B+ (not sure I got any bonafide bigger cards here ... just good volume)
Fun Grade: A- (boxes should be larger ... and all sets in this one should be, too)

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