From what distributors have been saying, it looks like 2014 Bowman was actually one of the more successful products of the year, releasing some of the first autographs of the new class. Because everyone goes NFL Draft crazy, card companies salivate at trying to capitalize on the early buying cycle. For a class that has huge draft potential, and no on field production to screw up prospecting, this is prime time.

Here are previous editions of the product and what they looked like:

2014 Bowman Chrome Odell Beckham Gold Refractor Auto /50

2014 Bowman Chrome Teddy Bridgewater Red Refractor Auto BGS 10

2013 Bowman Chrome Eddie Lacy Xfractor Auto BGS 9.5

2013 Bowman Chrome Le'Veon Bell Auto Refractor BGS 9.5

Last year’s Bowman product was great as long as you dont care about rookies in retouched college pictures. Its very similar to a Leaf style product, in that respect (here are those cards for reference). The difference is the brand loyalty and availability, as well as the fact that the Chrome name carries certain value elements along with it.

This year’s design looks better than 2014 in my opinion, going for a more boxy type look and less curvy space type. Although I was a fan of the design of and ripped a ton of 2014 Bowman, this looks better to me. I like the boxier type of design.

In previous years of Bowman, there was a focus on a lot of color autographs, sometimes multiple per box, and a ton of base with lots of parallels. In jumbo packs, this is the recipe for success, and adds perception of value in a lot of ways. Although auto checklist will all depend on the deep parts of the class, its a crazy fun rip.

There is one thing to consider, and it is a VERY big thing. Panini has acquired the CLC license, which means that all their pre-draft products can potentially have college uniforms involved. Im still reaching out to see if you can include NFL logos or NFL cards in a product that also feature CLC, but I have yet to hear back.

If Panini decides to use College Uniforms in their initial offerings, it will have an effect on the success of a product like this. Although prior to 2010, this was the norm, nostalgia makes the heart grow fonder.

Bowman struggles to wrangle in the people who wont buy the retouched photos, despite having great looking cards with hard signed autographs on chrome technology. Dont get me wrong, it has been successful both years they have done it, and I think we have every reason to believe that it will continue. However the manifest destiny plan of Panini will lower tides for all boats without their logo on the side. Beware.

Here are the 2015 cards: