Draft Day is a 2014 American sports drama film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner. The premise revolves around the fictional general manager of the Cleveland Browns (Costner) deciding what to do after his team acquires the number one draft pick in the upcoming National Football League draft.
On the morning of the 2014 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns general manager Sonny Weaver Jr. (Costner) must decide how to use the seventh overall pick to improve the team, but he has other problems on his mind. His semi-secret girlfriend Ali Parker (Garner), the team's salary cap analyst, is pregnant, and the recent death of Sonny's father causes tension with his mother. Sonny had fired his father, a legendary coach for the Browns which he later admits was for his mother's sake because he refused to retire even with failing health.
Sonny receives a trade offer from the Seattle Seahawks, who are offering their first-round pick in exchange for the Browns' seventh overall pick and three future first-round picks. Sonny is hesitant at first, but he eventually accepts the trade, believing that the Seahawks' pick is too good to pass up.
The Browns now have the first overall pick in the draft, and Sonny is faced with a difficult decision. He can either draft the best player available, regardless of his position, or he can draft a player who fills a specific need for the team.
Sonny ultimately decides to draft Vontae Mack (Bozeman), a linebacker from Ohio State University. Mack is a controversial pick, but Sonny believes that he is the best player in the draft and that he can lead the Browns to a championship.
This pick sets off a storm within the draft as Callahan falls. Rumors start to swirl and the film details have Sonny navigates the rest of the first round.
Draft Day is a realistic and suspenseful look at the NFL Draft. It is a film that will appeal to both football fans and non-fans alike. It is a story about family, friendship, and the pursuit of excellence.
Critical reception
Draft Day received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics praised the film's realism and suspense, while others criticized its clichés and lack of originality.
The film was a box office failure, grossing only $29 million worldwide against a budget of $25 million.
Cast
- Kevin Costner as Sonny Weaver Jr: the general manager of the Cleveland Browns.
- Jennifer Garner as Ali Parker: team's finance manager and Sonny’s love interest.
- Denis Leary as Vince Penn: the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, replacing Sonny's father.
- Frank Langella as Anthony Molina: the owner of the Cleveland Browns.
- Sam Elliott as Coach Moore: the head coach at the University of Wisconsin. Former coach to Bo Callahan.
- Sean Combs as Chris Crawford: sports agent representing Bo Callahan, the #1 prospect in the upcoming draft class.
- Terry Crews as Earl Jennings: Hall of Fame Cleveland Brown legend.
- Ellen Burstyn as Barb Weaver: Sonny’s mother.
- Chadwick Boseman as Vontae Mack: a top prospect in the upcoming draft class who previously played linebacker at Ohio State University.
- Rosanna Arquette as Angie: Sonny’s ex wife.
- W. Earl Brown as Ralph Mowry: the Browns' Director Of Security.
- Kevin Dunn as Marvin, the Browns organization's chief representative at the NFL Draft
- Arian Foster as Ray Jennings: running back from Florida State University & Earl's son.
- Brad William Henke as Tony 'Bagel' Bagli: the Browns' strength and conditioning coach
- Chi McBride as Walt Gordon: team president of the Seattle Seahawks.
- Griffin Newman as Rick the Intern
- Josh Pence as Bo Callahan; Heisman Trophy winning quarterback and team captain from University of Wisconsin.
- David Ramsey as Thompson: Browns War Room
- Patrick St. Esprit as Tom Michaels: general manager of the Seattle Seahawks.
- Timothy Simons as Marx: Browns War Room
- Tom Welling as Brian Drew: the Browns' starting quarterback from the previous year.
- Wade Williams as O'Reilly: Browns War Room
- Christopher Cousins as Max Stone: general manager of the Buffalo Bills.
- Russ Brandon as himself
- Wallace Langham as Pete Begler: general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Patrick Breen as Bill Zotti: general manager of the Houston Texans.
- Pat Healy as Jeff Carson: general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Roger Goodell as himself
- Jon Gruden as himself
- Jim Brown as himself
- Bernie Kosar as himself
- Chris Berman as himself
- Rich Eisen as himself
- Ray Lewis as himself
- Alex Marvez as himself
Director: Ivan Reitman
Writers: Scott Rothman | Rajiv Joseph
Box Office Gross: $29,824,199
Distributor: Lion's Gate Films
Release Date: April 10, 2014