Alright, so the 2023 NFL Flawless checklist started making the rounds, and you know how it is with Flawless – it’s always a bit of an event in the hobby. I’ve been collecting for more years than I can count on two hands, seen a lot of sets come and go, but this one, Flawless, always makes me pause and really take a look.
My first actual step, as always with these big releases, was to find a reliable version of the checklist. You’d think that’s straightforward, but sometimes the early info floating around is incomplete, or just plain wrong. So, I did my usual routine: I started by poking around the official Panini channels, then cross-referenced that with what the big forums and some trusted breaker sites were saying. Took a little bit, but eventually, I felt like I had something solid to work with.
Diving into the Details
Once I got what I felt was the complete list, or as close as it gets pre-release, I really sat down to digest it. And let me tell you, it’s quite a meal. I basically spread out all the info, like I was prepping for a big project. My old method is usually just firing up a simple spreadsheet, helps me organize my thoughts, you know?
The sheer number of cards, even before you get into all the different shiny versions, is something else. It’s not like back in the day when a set was a set, and maybe you had a few inserts. This is a different league. I started breaking it down into chunks just to make sense of it all:
- The Base Set: These are usually numbered super low, often with actual gems embedded. Fancy stuff.
- Then the Parallels: Goodness, the list goes on. Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, Platinum, and all their variations. Trying to keep track of which player has which parallel, and how many of each, that’s a job in itself.
- Rookie Patch Autographs (RPAs): These are always the main chase for a lot of folks. I made sure to note down which rookies were featured heavily.
- Veteran & Retired Autographs/Memorabilia: Can’t forget the legends and current stars. Lots of different autograph sets, patch auto sets, simple memorabilia… it’s a lot.
- Inserts and Unique Cards: Things like dual autographs, massive patches, shield patches, booklet cards. Some really wild designs in there.
I remember thinking, “Wow, this isn’t for the casual looky-loo.” The investment, if you were trying to collect even a small part of this, is serious. It’s one of those things where you really have to pick your battles, or have incredibly deep pockets. My nephew has been getting into cards, asking about all the high-end stuff, and trying to explain this checklist to him really put it into perspective for me too.
My Process and What I Noticed
So, I went through it, line by line, player by player, for the parts I was most interested in. I started highlighting specific rookies I’m keeping an eye on, and some of the veteran autograph series that looked particularly cool. I’m a visual guy, so for some of the more unique sounding inserts, I even did a quick search to see if any early images had leaked. Helps to connect the name on the checklist to an actual card design.
One thing I always do is try to understand the print runs, or at least the scarcity tiers. With Flawless, pretty much everything is super limited, but even within that, there are levels. The 1-of-1s are obviously the unicorns.
After spending a good chunk of time with it, I felt like I had a decent grasp of the 2023 Flawless landscape. It’s an incredible set, no doubt. The craftsmanship on the cards is usually top-notch. But going through the checklist reminded me that it’s a very specific corner of the hobby. It’s for the big game hunters, so to speak.
For me, this whole exercise was about understanding what’s out there. I probably won’t be chasing down the master set, that’s for sure! But now I know what to look for if I see breaks happening, or if a particular single I like pops up. And if my nephew asks again, I can actually tell him what’s what. Sharing this kind of stuff, this process, is part of the fun for me. Hope it gives you a bit of insight if you were curious too!
