Over the last 3 years, Topps has made Bowman its primary driver for pre-premiere cards. Although this could even technically be called a pre-draft product, there are elements of rookies with NFL logos on base cards. The product has been relatively polarizing, mainly because of its presentation style, which means that many either love it or hate it.

Here are some of the first cards up so far:

2015 Bowman Chrome Marcus Mariota Orange Refractor Auto /50

2015 Bowman Chrome Bryce Petty Red Wave Refractor Auto /25

2015 Bowman Chrome Ameer Abdullah Gold Refractor Auto /75

2015 Bowman Chrome Shane Ray Blue Refractor Auto /99

2015 Bowman Breshad Perriman 1948 Mini Auto RC

Although I understand that generic pictures of the rookies in retouched college pictures isnt the ideal situation, I would buy singles and boxes of this before venturing into stickers that are comprising 100% of Panini’s product line so far for 2015. I love Chrome and I will tolerate the photograph situation so that we can have on card autographs, and that is that. On card is essential at this point in the year, as we have seen with releases for Leaf and Upper Deck. When stickers are used, it just kills all the appeal for the card, especially when there are on card examples available elsewhere.

In all honesty, I think the best solution is to wait for the NFL stuff to be ready, but that means forgoing most of the profit that can be gained from an early release. In fact, Bowman surprisingly remains valuable through the year, especially in high grade examples of the numbered refractors. Considering how much some people hate the pictures, many other people dont seem to care all that much.

The scariest thing is that Panini doesnt even value on card autographs enough to get many cards signed at the premiere, opting instead for rookies to sign scraps of paper, sketches, cloth or anything that can be used as a sticker replacement. Based on what we saw from Twitter and other social media, Topps got THOUSANDS of on card autographs signed a few weeks ago, and that 2015 looks to be the year of the hard signed card for them. I could not be happier. Considering that they were able to get Bowman done with no redemptions is pretty impressive. Lets hope the rest of their stuff turns out similarly. The only draw back is it seems that the signing of a late autograph deal means Melvin Gordon will only have base cards in the product.

I actually like this year’s design, and as mentioned above, think its whole-heartly a better approach than using stickers. I will definitely bust a few boxes as I do every year, and remain hopeful that this is potentially the only Topps football product that might be able to survive Panini’s sad acquisition of the NFLPA exclusive.

And so begins the last year that I will likely be fully invested in football cards. Thanks Panini and your shitty products. Cant wait for 2016.