As the new NFL season kicks off, football card collectors are eager to rip into fresh packs of 2023 Donruss Football from Panini. This wildly popular set has become a staple for ripping fun, big hits, and shiny new rookies each year. So what’s the scoop on this year’s offering?
Intro – What is Panini Donruss Football and why is it popular?
Donruss Football is Panini’s entry-level NFL trading card product that delivers an affordable rip experience perfect for new and seasoned collectors alike. Issued every year since 1981, it offers a massive checklist packed with rookies, veterans, inserts, parallels, and the occasional autograph or memorabilia card. The time-honored Donruss Football card design features clean photography on a simple white border background that highlights the action. Collectors love ripping Donruss for the nostalgia, big rookie names, and chance at landing a rare valuable insert. It’s the perfect product to build a base set and land key rookies before they get hot.
While it lacks higher-end hits you’ll find in pricier Panini releases like Optic and Prizm, Donruss Football remains widely popular for its accessibility. Blaster boxes deliver around 70-75 cards for less than $20 on average, making them an easy purchase for football card enthusiasts. The 2022 edition featured one of the deepest NFL rookie classes in years led by stars like Mac Jones and Justin Fields, and 2023 looks just as promising.
The Appeal of Donruss Football Blasters
For collectors, one of the big draws is the ability to buy Donruss FB blaster boxes containing around 10 packs of 7 cards each. These 24-pack “blasters” offer a fun, affordable rip experience with enough packs to satisfy your ripping fix. They also spawn the chase for limited inserts and parallel cards that bring added value.
Each blaster box contains a variety of base cards, Rated Rookies, Veterans and a handful of inserts. You’ll usually pull one exclusive pink parallel per blaster too. But it’s the big hits like autographed Rated Rookie cards and rare serial numbered parallels that drive the thrill of the rip. Landing a low-print run variation or surprise memorabilia card out of a Donruss blaster really pays off.
Key Aspects of the Donruss FB Card Set
- Base Cards – The core set features current NFL stars and veterans. Nothing fancy, just clean action shots.
- Rookie Cards – The Rated Rookie subset highlights all the hot new NFL players.
- Retro Series – Inserts honoring past NFL legends in classic designs.
- Parallels – Short printed color variants like Blue, Red, Green and more.
- Inserts – Fan favorite insert sets returning each year.
- Autographs – On-card autographs from top rookies and veterans.
- Memorabilia Cards – Jerseys, patches and other relic cards.
It’s a winning formula Panini has honed over 30+ years. The thrill is all about the chase – you never know when that coveted low serial numbered auto or super short print variation will turn up in your blaster.
Rookie Cards to Watch in 2023 Donruss
The rookie class always drives interest in new Donruss Football. Here are some of the big NFL newcomers to find this year:
- Bryce Young – Alabama QB projected #1 overall draft pick
- C.J. Stroud – Ohio State QB expected top 5 pick
- Will Levis – Kentucky QB climbing draft boards
- Michael Mayer – Notre Dame TE and elite prospect
- BJ Ojulari – LSU pass rushing phenom
Beyond QBs, this rookie class runs deep at WR, RB and CB too. All will be featured in the 2023 Donruss checklist for collectors to chase. It’s always a thrill ripping a blaster early to pull key rookies before they become stars.
Final Thoughts
For football card collectors and NFL fans, a blaster box of Donruss provides an affordable rip experience with potential big rewards. While Prizm and Optic get all the hype, Donruss Football delivers its own old school flavor that keeps collectors coming back year after year. Tearing into a fresh blaster seeking out chase inserts, rare parallels and Choice autographed RCs of tomorrow’s gridiron greats will always be part of the hobby fun.
Panini’s Donruss Football card brand has become a collecting tradition, beloved for its iconic designs and affordability. As we enter a new NFL season, let’s explore the evolution of this staple set through the years.
Overview of Donruss Football card releases and designs
Donruss first jumped into football cards back in 1981, bringing its trademark bold designs to the NFL. The ’81 set featured simple white borders and clean photography, establishing a Donruss style that still carries on today. As the 80s unfolded, card backs offered more stats and data while colorful graphics were added to card fronts.
The 90s kicked off with an ultra-modern ’91 design featuring team logos and armor graphics. By the mid-90s, full-bleed photos took over packs. Donruss experimented with glossy card stock and gold foil accents as the decade went on. Insert sets also began appearing regularly, like the popular Gridiron Kings.
After the turn of the century, Donruss continued to showcase the best action photography and creative graphics. 2002’s ‘Atomic’ design incorporated team colors with electric bolts in the background. Recent editions have featured wide varied background colors and team-based themes.
While designs have evolved over 40+ years, Donruss Football has stayed true to its roots – crisp photography, bold colors and a classic vibe collectors love ripping each season. Even as higher-end brands take over, Donruss endures as the OG football card staple.
Key Donruss Football Sets Through the Years
Let’s look back at some of the most memorable Donruss Football card offerings:
- 1981 – The inaugural Donruss NFL set with Joe Montana’s RC
- 1984 – Dan Marino’s famous rookie card
- 1985 – Featured Jerry Rice’s rookie debut
- 1995 – Inserts like Hall of Fame and Gold Press Proof parallels
- 2001 – Drew Brees rookie card arrives
- 2015 – Rated Rookies autographs introduced
- 2020 – Justin Herbert & Joe Burrow headline the rookie class
Year in and year out, Donruss Football delivers collectible RCs of the NFL’s newest stars at an affordable price. With industry buzz around the 2023 draft class, expectations are high for this year’s offering.
The Future of Donruss
While higher end sets grab headlines today, Donruss continues to be “the most recognizable trading card brand in the world” as Panini proudly boasts. The 2023 edition will undoubtedly bring modern flair while staying true to Donruss’ roots – iconic designs, stunning photography and an easy rip at a fair price.
For old school collectors and new hobbyists alike, Donruss Football remains the definitive NFL trading card set year after year. As the drums beat loudly for another epic NFL season, fans everywhere eagerly await ripping into fresh packs of this venerable football collecting tradition.
One of the best parts of ripping into a new box of Donruss Football cards each year is the chance to pull key rookie cards of the NFL’s next generation of superstars. These Rated Rookie cards drive collector interest and can prove to be valuable commodities down the road.
Key rookie cards to find in Donruss Football
Donruss has a long tradition of producing highly coveted rookie cards. Legends like Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Jerry Rice all made their collecting debuts in early Donruss sets. That tradition continues today with RCs of tomorrow’s gridiron greats.
Here are some of the most sought-after Donruss Football Rated Rookie cards in recent years:
- 2018 – Saquon Barkley – The Giants RB was the top rookie in ’18 and his RC remains popular.
- 2019 – Kyler Murray – The #1 overall pick’s RC headlined this class.
- 2020 – Justin Herbert – Herbert’s RC drew attention after his Offensive Rookie of the Year season.
- 2020 – Joe Burrow – TheBengals QB’s RC is also highly coveted from 2020.
- 2021 – Trevor Lawrence – The #1 pick’s RC highlights last year’s set.
Key QBs in 2023 Donruss
Quarterbacks always command interest, so these incoming signal callers will be big rookie names to find:
- Bryce Young – The Alabama star could go #1 in the draft.
- C.J. Stroud – Young’s top competition will also be a top 5 pick.
- Will Levis – The Kentucky QB is rising up draft boards.
Other Notable Rookie Prospects
Beyond QBs, there is elite talent at WR, RB, TE and DL in the 2023 class. Some names to watch:
- Michael Mayer – Notre Dame TE expected to be first TE drafted.
- BJ Ojulari – LSU pass rusher projected as a top pick.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba – Ohio State WR with big production.
- Jahmyr Gibbs – Alabama RB and dangerous receiving threat.
Rookie cards always generate the most hype come NFL draft time. Ripping a premier Donruss Rated Rookie card of a future superstar is a thrill for any collector.
The Hunt for RCs
The lure of landing the next Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen rookie card keeps collectors coming back to Donruss Football year after year. While the veterans and inserts bring nostalgia, those shiny new RCs remain the big ticket. When the 2023 NFL rookie class takes the field, a new crop of Donruss Football Rated Rookie cards will be the must-have collectibles.
While rookie cards garner much of the hype, Donruss Football has always been known for its fun inserts and colorful parallel cards adding value to blaster boxes. Let’s explore some of the inserts collectors love chasing each year in their Donruss rips.
Inserts and parallels to chase in Donruss blaster boxes
In addition to the base set and Rated Rookie cards, Donruss Football offers an array of collectible inserts and parallels to spice up every blaster box. Here are some of the most coveted:
Gridiron Kings
Arguably the most popular Donruss Football insert set, these cards feature artistic painted renditions of past legends and current stars. Aaron Rodgers, Tyreek Hill and Trevon Diggs are some subjects from 2022.
Rated Rookie Material Signatures
These on-card autographs of top rookies come etched on material cards, with some featuring rare premium patch pieces. A huge hit in any blaster.
Astro and Galactic
Two shiny parallel sets — Astro featuring cosmic star backgrounds, Galactic with an iridescent disco flair. Numbered color parallels to just 399 and 299 copies respectively.
The Rookies & Optic Preview
Inserts featuring top rookies and giving collectors a first look at the upcoming Donruss Optic Football set, a hobby favorite.
Rated Rookie Auto Parallels
While base autographs fall around 1:12 boxes, coveted color parallels like Red (#/199), Orange (#/125) and Neon Green (#/5) bring huge value.
These and other inserts create an exciting blaster box rip experience and opportunity to uncover rare numbered parallels.
Thrill of the Chase
Collectors love the allure of hitting a coveted limited insert or low serial numbered parallel card. While base Donruss Football cards are easy to come by, those tough inserts and SP variations bring the thrill. You just never know what you might uncover in your next Donruss NFL blaster box.
While pulling the top rookies and inserts creates excitement, collectors really go crazy over the rare autographed and relic cards randomly inserted into Donruss Football. Let’s explore some of the memorabilia and auto hits to find in a blaster box.
Autographs and memorabilia cards included
In addition to the base cards and colorful inserts, Donruss Football offers collectors a chance at the big hits – signed cards and premium memorabilia pieces of top NFL stars. Here are some to watch for:
Rated Rookie Signatures
Hard-signed autographs from members of the rookie class. Tough pulls at just 1:288 packs, but massive hits when found in a blaster.
Veteran Autographs
Also rarely inserted at 1:288 packs are autographs of veteran stars like Travis Kelce, DK Metcalf, Justin Jefferson and others.
Rated Rookie Materials
Memorabilia cards featuring jersey swatches from top rookies. A nice hit averaging 1:12 boxes.
NFL Gear Kings
Relics of veteran stars cut from gloves, hats, jerseys and other equipment. Checklists include stars like Brady, Mahomes and Donald.
Rated Rookie Patch Autographs
Highly coveted rookie auto cards featuring their jersey number swatch. Premium additions in Gold Vinyl parallel limited to just 10 copies fetch big money.
Memorabilia and autograph inserts create the big “boom or bust” factor in Donruss. While base cards are easy to find, those rare monster hits are what make blaster boxes so fun and exciting!
Chasing Authenticity
For collectors, pulling a premium autographed or multi-color patch relic card of a top star or rookie adds major value to a blaster box. You just never know when you’ll strike gold and uncover one of those super rare hits that makes a box a huge winner.
While Donruss Football remains the OG Panini NFL card product, the hobby has exploded with higher-end releases packed with autographs, patches and more. But Donruss still holds its own with a unique accessible rip experience.
How Donruss Football compares to other Panini NFL releases
There’s no denying Donruss Football has lost its luster as the premier NFL trading card release. With companies like Panini pumping out high-end hits galore in sets like National Treasures, Flawless and Immaculate, Donruss almost feels vanilla by comparison.
Yet the brand retains an old-school charm and affordability that still resonates in today’s flashy hobby. Let’s examine how it stacks up to some other Panini NFL products.
Prizm
The king of modern football cards, Prizm delivers on-card autos and rare color parallels that can quickly fetch big money. But at 5X the price, Prizm lacks Donruss’ affordability and base set focus.
Optic
With its chrome-like sheen and familiar branding, Optic has assumed the identity once owned by Donruss. But again, much pricier packs reduce rip accessibility.
Select
As a mid-range product, Select compares more evenly with its balance of veterans, rookies and inserts. But quirky designs and higher cost per pack still distance it from the Donruss model.
Absolute
Loaded with thick premium memorabilia cards, Absolute showcases mass amounts of jersey swatches. But with most hits being manufactured relics, Absolute lacks Donruss’ authenticity.
The Donruss Difference
While Extra Points, Chronicles and other Panini releases have nibbled away at Donruss Football’s dominance, the veteran brand retains its approachable value:
- Affordable packs and blaster boxes
- Straightforward base card focus
- Iconic brand recognition
- Timeless retro designs
- Hard-signed autographs
Donruss Football may not lead the hobby anymore with its big memorabilia hits and rare autographs, but its tradition, easy rip experience and old-school collecting vibe still endures.
Donruss Football hobby boxes promise big hits yet carry a hefty price tag. For many collectors, ripping affordable blaster boxes is the way to go. But does the blaster format deliver good value? Let’s examine the pros and cons.
Pros and cons of ripping Donruss Football blasters
Given the choice between hobby boxes, retail blasters, single packs or a complete base set, most collectors opt for those familiar blaster boxes. At around $20, here are some benefits and drawbacks:
Pros
- Delivers 70+ base, inserts and parallels for the cost of 2-3 packs
- Chance at autographs and relics, albeit long odds
- Great for base set building on a budget
- Provides the fun of ripping 10+ packs at once
- Iconic yellow blaster box packaging and format
Cons
- No guaranteed “hit” like an auto or relic
- Misleading “hot box” odds on the box
- Often collation issues with rookie photo variations
- Big hits like Rated Rookie autos are very rare
- Less overall card value than equivalent hobby packs
While blasters lack the big hit guarantees of hobby boxes, collectors choose the convenience, cost and rip experience.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
When deciding how to collect Donruss Football cards each year, the choice basically comes down to pursuing big hits or base set building. Collectors chasing major autographs and rare low serial numbered parallels will view blasters as a gamble.
However, for fans looking to complete each year’s set, blasters provide the best bang per buck while offering a shot at surprise monster pulls. That accessibility keeps collectors coming back to blasters year after year.
Given its long-standing retail presence, Donruss Football blaster boxes represent an affordable tradition for collectors. What can you expect to pay and pull from a standard 2023 blaster?
Expected cost and value of a blaster box
Year to year, flagship Donruss Football blaster boxes stay reasonably priced for an easy purchase:
Typical Blaster Box Configuration
- 24 packs
- 8 cards per pack
- About 200 total cards
Average Blaster Box Price
- 2022: $19.99 USD
- 2023: $21.99 USD (expected)
This keeps blasters accessible versus higher price points of hobby boxes. But what can you really expect to pull?
Projected Blaster Box Hit Odds
- Rated Rookie Auto – 1:360 packs
- Memorabilia Card – 1:144 packs
- Retail Exclusive Pink Parallels – 1 per blaster
So out of 24 packs, don’t expect an auto or relic. But nice inserts and SP rookies are reasonable expectations.
Estimated Raw Card Value
Unless you beat odds and hit a monster, expect around $30 raw value – with potential upside for key rookies.
Is a Blaster Worth Buying?
Given the affordable price point, blasters remain a hobby staple. While they lack guaranteed hits, the nostalgia, ripping experience and chance at surprises make Donruss Football blasters a collectible tradition.
Finding reasonably priced blaster boxes can be a challenge, with inflated prices online and limited retail availability. Here are some tips to secure Donruss Football blasters for a fair price.
Where to buy Donruss Football blasters at a reasonable price
With blasters being a collector favorite, supplies quickly dwindle once a new release hits shelves. Avoid overpaying using these buying strategies:
Check major retail stores
Big box stores like Target, Walmart and Meijer receive steady shipments and sell at suggested retail. Visit frequently when a new release drops.
Shop local card shops
Established hobby shops with wholesale distributor accounts typically get priority allocation before mass retailers.
Review eBay sold listings
Sort by “Sold” listings and look for consistent pricing to gauge real market value based on actual sales.
Buying groups
Join buying groups on Facebook where members can post availability and purchase for each other at non-inflated group prices.
Online presales
Reputable breakers and case sellers offer new release presales months in advance of the street date. This locks your order in at regular retail cost.
Avoid Overpaying
The key is patience – wait a few weeks until the initial rush subsides and supply catches up to demand. And leverage multiple avenues: retail stores, card shops, buying groups and select online sellers.
By using these tips, collectors can secure Donruss Football blasters for a reasonable price and avoid inflated rates.
When buying blaster boxes, either singly or by the case, you’ll want to try maximizing your chances of getting a “hot” box. Here are some tips for picking potential big hit blasters.
Tips for picking the best blaster box from a case
Blaster boxes are packed randomly, so there’s no surefire method to guarantee a monster box. But collectors try gaining any small advantage using these tactics:
Avoid box ends
The first and last box on a case row tend to yield less hits. Stick to inner boxes.
Heft and weight
Heavier boxes could indicate more hits. Shake gently and go for ones with some movement.
The “flip test”
Flip the box over and check the sealed packs inside. If the bottom cards shift uniformly, it was likely collated tighter.
New case over partial
Given the choice, go for a factory sealed new case over an open case with empty spots. Better odds it wasn’t “searched”.
Inner and master cases
Track which inner and master case each box came from for mapping patterns in big openings.
It’s All Random
Truthfully, blaster collation and contents are totally random. Many a “perfect” box has disappointed. But trying to make educated guesses makes picking boxes more engaging!
Let the hunt begin and may the blaster box odds be ever in your favor!
With blasters running $20+ and no guaranteed hits, some collectors opt for buying loose Donruss packs instead. Is this a smart money saving strategy?
Should you buy loose Donruss packs instead of blasters?
When a new Donruss Football release arrives, you’ll see loose packs for sale in addition to blaster boxes. At around $2 per pack, is it worth ditching the blaster format?
Potential Benefits
- Spend only on the pack quantity you want
- Buy targeted loose packs containing hits
- Save money buying just what you need
- Allows “pick and choose” versus blaster sealed luck
Downsides
- No blaster exclusive pink parallels
- Risk of weighed or searched packs
- No cost savings for bulk packs
- Arguably less fun “ripping experience”
Loose Packs vs. Blasters
Ultimately it comes down to personal collecting preference. There’s something nostalgic about ripping a sealed blaster for the unknown. But buying targeted loose packs allows greater control.
For set builders, blasters give you everything. For player and team collectors, loose packs let you hone in on what you need.
While not for everyone, loose packs remain a viable, calculated approach for many collectors.
Whenever a new Donruss Football release arrives, collectors are eager to start ripping blasters in hopes of big hits. But it’s important to set realistic expectations before tearing into those packs.
Setting realistic expectations for your blaster box hits
Donruss Football blaster boxes are affordable, accessible and fun to rip. But the chances of hitting a monster pull are slim. Here are some tips for reasonable blaster expectations:
It’s a base set builder product
At its core, Donruss is focused on the base card set. Expect to complete a good chunk of the set from a blaster. Treating it as a base product first prevents disappointment.
No guaranteed hits
Unlike hobby boxes, blasters have no promised hits. Seeing the 1:288 pack advertised odds for Rated Rookie autos is important.
Inserts over autographs
With good insert odds like 1:4 packs, aim expectations toward inserts like Gridiron Kings versus hard-signed autos.
Retail exclusive parallels
The exclusive pink parallels fall around 1 per blaster, so counting on one nice exclusive parallel is reasonable.
It’s All About The Rip!
Approaching blasters with patience and measured expectations is key. There’s always chance of beating the odds, but collecting the base set and inserts should be the goal.
While less flashy than hobby, blasters provide an accessible and fun rip experience year after year.
There’s an undeniable rush that comes from ripping open a new blaster box. But does the fun justify the monetary value you can realistically expect?
Fun of ripping blasters vs expected monetary value
For many collectors, the addictive thrill of tearing into fresh packs overrides pure monetary considerations. Let’s examine some aspects of this dilemma:
The Rip Experience
Simply put, ripping packs is a blast. The chance at uncovering a rare hit, completing a set, handling new cards – it’s a sports card rush no closet monster box can replicate.
Chasing the High
Like playing the lottery, we keep ripping in hopes of that jackpot pull. And there’s always a chance, keeping the chase alive.
Nostalgia
Rekindling childhood excitement and memories maintains the hobby for many. Recapturing that emotion outweighs dollars and cents.
Monetary Reality
Beating slim odds of an auto or relic hit is unlikely. Expected raw value from a blaster is marginal relative to cost.
Cost vs. Return
Unless you score a monster, measurable monetary return simply isn’t there from a blaster.
The Thrill Wins Out
While monetary return is low, ripping blasters provides palpable collector enjoyment. That pure fun will continue driving sales despite expected value.
When you beat the odds and hit a big rookie or rare insert in Donruss, proper grading and protection is key to preserving value. Here are some tips.
Grading and protecting your top Donruss pulls
Taking proper care of your best card pulls from a blaster box is collecting 101. Follow these guidelines once you’ve struck gold:
Promptly Sleeve Them
Use quality sleeve brands like Ultra Pro or Dragon Shield on valuable hits right away, even before top loaders.
Double-Sleeve If Needed
Place thicker memorabilia cards in both penny and standard sleeves for extra protection.
Top Load High-End Hits
Top loaders create a hard plastic shell to prevent damage and surface wear.
Consider Grading
For very rare and high-value cards, professional grading maintains condition and adds value.
Store Safely
Keep top hits protected in a binder, box or case away from direct light, heat or moisture.
Preserve Your Hits
Shielding the corners, edges and surfaces of important card pulls should become second nature. Treat them with care right from the pack-opening to maximize collector appeal.
Because you never know when that recycled blaster hit might strike gold!
Looking for an affordable gift to spark the collecting passion in a new hobbyist? A blaster box of Donruss Football cards fits the bill perfectly.
Donruss Football blasters as gifts for collecting newbies
With collecting surging in popularity, products like Donruss Football blasters make ideal gifts to introduce new fans to the hobby. Here’s why:
Affordable Price Point
At around $20 retail, blasters represent a lower cost commitment versus pricier hobby boxes.
Complete Rip Experience
10-12 packs per blaster provides a full dip into ripping wax with hits, inserts and surprises.
Breadth of Content
Base cards, rookies, veterans, parallels and inserts expose new collectors broadly to different content.
Iconic Brand
Donruss’ long-standing brand recognition makes it a comfortable entry point.
Chance at Big Hits
While long odds, the potential of an auto or relic delivers excitement.
Ideal Gateway Product
Given its variety, accessibility and collectability, Donruss Football blasters make a perfect gift to ignite the hobby spark in a young collector.
An affordable box could set them on a collecting journey that lasts a lifetime.