Examining the Peaks and Valleys of 2014 Topps Finest Football

After seeing some of the mysteries surrounding Topps Finest be revealed, and getting more acquainted with the set, I am starting to see some very big wins here, along with some bigger losses. I want to take a look and break down my thoughts on one of the bigger in season releases of the year.

Autograph Base Rookie Variations

These were some of my favorite cards in the previous versions of Finest since 2011, and I think that they took a major hit this year with the sticker autos. Hard signed autos on Chrome stock are a very easy way to cultivate value in any set, and using stickers this year took that away. We will have to see how Platinum turns out to see if Topps gets it right. Scary thing is, the Johnny Manziel Superfractor has already been pulled and listed, which is likely the biggest cards in the set. Either way this one doesnt sit well with me.

2014 Topps Finest Blake Bortles Pulsar Refractor Auto /5

2014 Topps Finest Teddy Bridgewater Auto Red Refractor 5/15

2014 Topps Finest Mike Evans Auto RC Refractor

Verdict: DOWNGRADE

Rookie Auto Patch 

I think this year’s design is nice, although the need to include a jumbo patch parallel adds a lot of negative space on the card that could have been shrunk down with the use of additional printing plates. Regardless, I think these look better than last year, and better than 2012 as well. Its a cool tech style look, and I have gotten more attached as I have seen more cards.

2014 Topps Finest David Carr Blue Refractor Auto Patch /99

2014 Topps Finest Kelvin Benjamin Red Refractor Auto Patch

Verdict: UPGRADE

Rookie Auto Jumbo Patch

These are my favorite cards of the entire set, and wish that they were more common. With the negative space from the previous design replaced with a bigger swatch, the card looks more complete. I am really liking that they didnt compromise the size of the player picture to include a larger swatch, which I think many releases struggle with. Compared to 2013, its night and day.

2014 Topps Finest Teddy Bridgewater Jumbo Patch Auto /15

2014 Topps Finest Jadeveon Clowney Pink Refractor Jumbo Patch Auto

2014 Topps Finest Brandin Cooks Jumbo Patch Auto Pulsar

Verdict: UPGRADE

Fantasy’s Finest Autos

This year, finest moment cards were replaced with a set that commemorates the biggest fantasy performances in the last few years. I like the idea of celebrating big games, but I am not a fan of using fantasy as the way to do it. The design is nice, but again, its a lot of negative space for design elements to make up for the patches that are present on some of the cards. Being that I wasnt a fan of the finest moments to begin with, Im not to concerned with Topps going a different direction and not executing fully.

2014 Topps Finest AJ Green Fantasy’s Finest Jumbo Patch Auto

2014 Topps Finest Julius Thomas Fantasy’s Finest Pulsar Auto

Verdict: PUSH

Jumbo Relic Autos

Since 2011, these have been my favorite part of the set, and for the first time, I think they fumbled this version. There is too much focus on the borders surrounding the different elements of the cards, and not enough on the general aesthetics of the final composition. By shrinking the corner designs, and the side borders, the card would be much more focused on the right things. I dont know, maybe it just looks weird to me.

2014 Topps Finest Eddie Lacy Gold Refractor Auto Jumbo Relic

2014 Topps Finest Sammy Watkins Camo Refractor Jumbo Patch Auto /10

Verdict: DOWNGRADE

Overall, Finest will still be around for its final year next year, and I welcome it back. This is still a fun set, and its rare that you can find a box under 100 bucks and get TWO relic autos. That just doesnt happen, and its why this product has rocked as much as it has. I will be sad to see it go come 2016 when the Panini exclusive kicks in.

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