Donruss Optic Football Makes Shiny Return

Donruss Optic football had a generally well-received debut in 2016, with a slick, shiny look that appealed to collectors who preferred something more upscale.

For the 2017 version of Donruss Optic, Panini America is going to stay with the same formula. Collectors can expect colorful parallels and cards that shine with their chromium finish.

When the product becomes available on Wednesday, there will again be a mix of new tech with old designs. It’s not an autograph-focused product.  A full checklist is at the bottom of the page.

2017 Donruss Optic Basics

A hobby box will contain 20 packs, with four cards to a pack. Panini is promising one autograph card per box, along with 10 parallels, 10 Rated Rookies. 10 Rookies and four inserts — on average.

There will also be retail and blaster boxes and fat packs.

The card designs are like the standard 2017 Donruss football product, and some give a nod back to the Donruss baseball designs of the 1980s.

Parallels and Inserts

Parallels and rookies will be a big draw for this product. In the base set, collectors will be able to chase parallels in Holo, aqua (numbered to 299), orange (199), blue (149), red (99), purple (50), black (25), gold (10), green (5) and gold vinyl (1/1).

For those collectors who buy retail, pink parallels will be a blaster box exclusive, while lime will be limited to hanger boxes.

Two inserts will make their debuts: AKA, which highlights a player’s nickname. Here are some of the fun ones: Broadway Joe, Tom Terrific, The Bus, Beast Mode, Famous Jameis and Zeke. Illusions is another new set of inserts.

Autographs

Autograph cards will include several variations. The Rated Rookie Autographs will sport on-card signatures and will be numbered to 150 or less. This card will have a late 1980s baseball feel from a design standpoint. Think 1988, and if you can get past the cringing when remembering that overproduced set, then a shiny version with a hard-signed autograph will be appealing. A 1/1 gold vinyl parallel also is a possibility.

Rookie Patch Autographs will be numbered to 20 or less and will also have 1/1 gold vinyl parallels. Some collectors will pull Rookie Dual Autographs or Rookie Triple Autographs.

In addition to rookies, veteran players will be amply represented in the autograph subsets. Gridiron Kings Autographs will be numbered to 10 or less and will feature established NFL stars like Derek Carr, Ezekiel Elliott, Adrian Peterson, Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt. Other signature cards include The Elite Series Autograph and The Legends Series Autographs.

The 1981 Tribute autograph subset honors the design used for the first mainstream Donruss baseball release 36 years ago. Inducted will be numbered to 10 or less and features recent additions to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That subset also will have gold vinyl parallels numbered 1/1.

Hobby boxes are currently selling online for around $80-$9o.  You can see those and other associated 2017 Donruss Optic football listings on eBay by clicking here.

2017 Donruss Optic Football Checklist

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About Bob D'Angelo

Bob has been a sportswriter and copy editor for more than 35 years and a blogger for a decade. He is celebrating his 50th year of card collecting, and still counts his 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle as his favorite. You can reach him at [email protected].