n a draft that includes 11 Hall of Famers – more than any other draft in NFL history – the Dallas Cowboys revolutionize the scarcely covered player selection meeting and plant the seeds for a national phenomenon with the selections of Roger Staubach, Bob Hayes and Mel Renfro. Additionally, the New York Jets lay the foundation for their Super Bowl III championship with the selection of six eventual starters, and number one overall pick Dave Parks later makes history by being the first marquee player to challenge the league on player movement. Features interviews with Roger Staubach, Bill Parcells, Peter King, Bobby Beathard, Dan Daly and more.
The Pittsburgh Steelers change the way organizations view the NFL Draft by adopting a philosophy of building a championship team through the draft and selecting four future Hall of Famers in Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth and Mike Webster. Features interviews with the first ‘draftnik’ Pete Marasco, Lynn Swann, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, and more.
Engaged in a bidding war with the USFL, the 1984 NFL Draft takes place in one marathon day after the USFL Draft had concluded. Future Hall of Famers Reggie White and Steve Young signed with the USFL, while Boomer Esiason fell to the second round of the NFL Draft after saying he did not want to play in the USFL. Additionally, the first overall pick is traded twice and NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. makes his ESPN debut. Features interviews with Boomer Esiason, Steve Young, Irving Fryar, Peter King, Mel Kiper, Jr. and more.
Against the backdrop of highly-touted quarterbacks Trent Dilfer and Heath Shuler jockeying for position, a verbal on-air spat between ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. and Indianapolis Colts general manager Bill Tobin, and the NFL becoming a year-round sport, the NFL Draft becomes the must-see event it is today. Additionally, players such as Kurt Warner, Rod Smith, Jeff Garcia and D’Marco Farr go undrafted. Features interviews with Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Bill Tobin, Trent Dilfer, Mel Kiper, Jr., Peter King and more.
When number one overall pick Eli Manning refuses to play for the San Diego Chargers, it triggers the biggest showdown between an organization and player in two decades and alters the fortunes of quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. Additionally, the University of Miami (FL) sets an NFL record for most first-round selections with six. Features interviews with Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Mike Mayock, Leigh Steinberg, Peter King, Mel Kiper, Jr. and more.
The 1965 Draft was the most fiercely fought event between the rival National and American Football Leagues. It was a fierce battle for such future Hall of Fame greats Joe Namath, Dick Butkus and Gale Sayers. The two arch-enemies competed for the top college talent by breaking gentlemen’s agreements, testing limits of NCAA boundaries, and even sabotaging each other with “dirty tricks” and deceptions that mirrored the real-world Cold War and the spy movies and TV shows of the era. Features interviews with Joe Namath, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers, Craig Morton, Fred Biletnikoff, Ron Wolf and more.
In a draft that would be remembered for Walter Payton, top pick Steve Bartkowski sets the NFL world afire by asking his college dorm-mate Leigh Steinberg to negotiate his contract. Features interviews with Leigh Steinberg, Gil Brandt, Hollywood Henderson, Dan Fouts, Steve Bartkowski, Robert Brazile and more.
Bill Walsh trades up with the New England Patriots and lands wide receiver Jerry Rice. But was that the original plan? For the first time, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Sam Wyche reveals Walsh’s frantic efforts to trade for the top-billed receiver in the draft, Eddie Brown, while Bernie Kosar stuns the world by entering the supplemental draft and landing in Cleveland. Features interviews with Jerry Rice, Bruce Smith, Randall Cunningham, Doug Flutie, Herschel Walker, Ernie Accorsi and more.
Despite wowing at the NFL Scouting Combine, workout warrior Mike Mamula struggles on the field. Highly-touted running back Kijana Carter has a disappointing career, while draft afterthoughts Terrell Davis and Curtis Martin become stars. Features interviews with Tom Coughlin, Tony Dungy, Derrick Brooks, Curtis Martin, Terrell Davis, Kijana Carter and more.
Aaron Rodgers drops in the draft while waiting in the Green Room, while former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi enjoys his best draft ever. Features interviews with Aaron Rodgers, Justin Tuck, Mike McCarthy, Bill Polian, Cadillac Williams, Ronnie Brown and more.