On the Clock: The Story of the NFL Draft

by Barry Wilner

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17	10	1,243,716	(3.06)	9
The NFL draft features no action on the field. No passing, running, tackling, or kicking. Hey, there isn't even a field. Yet the draft has become more popular than many other sporting events, including the NBA and NHL playoff games, against which it goes head-to-head for viewers. In fact, the draft has spawned its own cottage industry in which names such as Gil Brandt, Mel Kiper Jr., and Mike Mayock have become as well known as any of the first-round selections. In On the Clock, Barry Wilner and Ken Rappoport chronicle the history of the proceedings. The veteran sportswriters take you from the first grab bag in 1936, when Philadelphia chose Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago only for him to decline to play in the NFL, to the 2014 draft considered one of the deepest in talent ever. Along the 78-year journey, learn about the competitions for the top overall spot (Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf), the unhappy No. 1s (John Elway and Tom Cousineau), the big flops (JaMarcus Russell), and the late-rounders-turned-superstars (Tom Brady). Meet the draft wizards, from Paul Brown to Bill Walsh and Jimmy Johnson, and read about the draft whiffs that cost personnel executives their jobs. On the Clock takes you behind the scenes at one of pro football s most suspenseful annual events."… (more)

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This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

It is crazy when you think about how popular the draft has become. How can something that shows now real action have more viewers that playoff hockey or basketball? What began as a simple thing done in a few back rooms has morphed into part reality show and part award show as the new picked are added to the NFL rosters. This book takes you through that history and breaks it up to good digestible sections that will not over burden you.

xymon81 | Nov 18, 2015 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I received this book from Library Thing's early reviewers. I have to say it was a quick read, but it has been difficult for me to review because it is what it says: a book about the NFL draft.
That is not to say it wasn't interesting because it was. The sections on who the best and worst draft picks for each team and by position were very entertaining.
Needless to say you can judge this book by its cover. If you love or even just like the NFL draft this book is for you. (

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lostinmyownlibrary | Jul 25, 2015 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

At first glance, I am not the obvious audience for this book, not being someone who closely follows the NFL. But ever since seeing Draft Day, I have become interested in the behind-the-scenes work that occurs on that fateful draft day. This book has some great details on the backstage wheelings and dealings, the missteps and the successes, the controversies and the catastrophes. I only wish more of the book had focused on that as promised, as opposed to getting lost in statistics and game play, which seemed meant for a book of a different title. (

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seasonsoflove | Jul 18, 2015 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

This book is just as much a history of professional football as it is the draft, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

To give you perspective, I follow the NFL more than the casual fan, but I'm can't tell you the Offensive line for my home team. I'm 41 years old so anything prior to the 85 Bears I only know from reruns.

The book gives a good picture of the early days of the league and the draft. Not knowing much of anything about this development was enjoyable for me. I knew Pop Warner was person, but didn't really know what his impact on the game was and why little league football was named after him.

I wasn't all that interested in reading behind the scenes of the last few drafts because anyone interested can find that on ESPN so I was glad this book focused on the history.

That being said, it wasn't overly enthralling for me. Eventually some of the names started to run together. It's a relatively quick read though and I did pass the book onto my father who may have more interest. (

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Kolchak | Jul 8, 2015 |

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

I like to watch NFL football on Sundays but I don't follow the NFL as closely as I follow MLB or the NHL. For a slightly more than casual fan like me, this book on the NFL draft was informative. I suspect though, that for the die hard NFL fan, this book might be far too simplistic.

The authors tell interesting stories about the history of the draft and talk, too, about the op draft picks and the duds. More interesting, though, were the portions dealing with the guys who've become known as draft gurus, such as Mel Kuiper, how teams prepare for the draft, and how ESPN first got involved.

I think the book could've used better organization, though, as it tended to jump around quite a bit.

I'd recommend this to my friends who like football, though probably not to those who live and breathe football. (

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lindapanzo | Jun 28, 2015 |

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The NFL draft features no action on the field. No passing, running, tackling, or kicking. Hey, there isn't even a field. Yet the draft has become more popular than many other sporting events, including the NBA and NHL playoff games, against which it goes head-to-head for viewers. In fact, the draft has spawned its own cottage industry in which names such as Gil Brandt, Mel Kiper Jr., and Mike Mayock have become as well known as any of the first-round selections. In On the Clock, Barry Wilner and Ken Rappoport chronicle the history of the proceedings. The veteran sportswriters take you from the first grab bag in 1936, when Philadelphia chose Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago only for him to decline to play in the NFL, to the 2014 draft considered one of the deepest in talent ever. Along the 78-year journey, learn about the competitions for the top overall spot (Peyton Manning vs. Ryan Leaf), the unhappy No. 1s (John Elway and Tom Cousineau), the big flops (JaMarcus Russell), and the late-rounders-turned-superstars (Tom Brady). Meet the draft wizards, from Paul Brown to Bill Walsh and Jimmy Johnson, and read about the draft whiffs that cost personnel executives their jobs. On the Clock takes you behind the scenes at one of pro football s most suspenseful annual events."

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