Buzz Break: 2023 Donruss football cards (holiday blaster)

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: 2023 Donruss NFL cards (holiday blaster)
Where to buy: BlowoutCards.com (for this and other formats)

Keep reading for a full breakdown and gallery of highlights from this one.

Packs per box: 6
Cards per pack: 15
Cards per box: 90
Base set completion: 
73 of 300 (24 percent)
Duplicates: 0

Notables on base cards – Trevor Lawrence, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, T.J. Watt, Chris Olave, Justin Jefferson, Brian Robinson Jr., Mac Jones, Josh Jacobs, Trevon Diggs

Insert/short-print cards: 16 (all in gallery below with some base)
Rated Rookies (Nos. 301-400) (11) – C.J. Stroud, Deuce Vaughn, Jalen Carter, Rashee Rice, Tyjae Spears, Jonathan Mingo, Zach Charbonnet, Christian Gonzalez, Tuli Tuipulotu, Dalton Kincaid, DeWayne McBride
Red & Green Rated Rookie Optic Preview (1) – Hendon Hooker
Rated Rookies Canvas parallel (1) – Marvin Mims
Action All-Pros (1) – Patrick Surtain II
Elite Series Rookies (1) – Cedric Tillman
White-Hot Rookies (1) – Zach Charbonnet

Autographs/Memorabilia: 1
Rookie Sweaters (1) – Sean Clifford

What’s Buzz-worthy: This annual edition of Donruss -- a retail-chain exclusive -- is one that includes a pair of card types both found one per box in this format and they're both ones that make this one worth the look. This time? Not sure either one -- the Optic card or the hit -- were winners but landing a Rated Rookie for C.J. Stroud makes this one an A-caliber box. Now, had a top name like him landed in those two premium spots? Big-time win ... and that's why this format (hit that link up top) is a winner in my book. The photos here have stronger, tighter crops than I remember from a lot of Donruss releases while this framing is new with some slightly retro touches that are a little heavy but not too obnoxious. The patch of silver foil on the cards I could live without but they do add some extra "feel" here beyond basic cardboard. My run of base was pretty lean on top, notable offensive stars (names and gallery show how much I had to dig for names) and the rookies were fine with Stroud ... without him this one would have been trouble as the overall insert presence here feels small for a Donruss NFL box. The hit and the Optic card are big keys here for sure and they're both reasons why I'd choose this one over the basic version, myself. I'll offer up more on this one if I rip more -- there's a good chance I might.

Product Grade: A-
Box Grade: A- (thanks to Stroud)
Fun Grade: B- (heavy on base and not that strong on stars ... so saved by Stroud)

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