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Draft Day

Draft Day is a 2014 American sports drama film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Draft Day is a 2014 American sports drama film directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Kevin Costner as the general manager of the Cleveland Browns. The story follows a high-stakes NFL Draft day in which he tries to rebuild the team after acquiring the number one overall pick.

Premise

The film follows Sonny Weaver Jr. on the day of the NFL Draft as he tries to improve the Cleveland Browns after trading for the number one pick. The narrative combines professional football negotiations with personal and family pressures.

Cast

Kevin Costner stars as Sonny Weaver Jr., with Jennifer Garner as his girlfriend, Denis Leary as the coach, and Frank Langella as the team owner. Chadwick Boseman appears as quarterback prospect Vontae Mack in the ensemble cast.

Production and release

Draft Day was directed by Ivan Reitman and released in 2014. It runs 109 minutes and was produced as an English-language American feature film.

Reception and legacy

The film is often discussed for its behind-the-scenes portrayal of NFL Draft decision-making. It has also been noted for its ensemble cast and for including one of Chadwick Boseman’s earlier film roles.

Key facts

  • The film centers on the Cleveland Browns’ general manager during the NFL Draft.
  • Kevin Costner plays Sonny Weaver Jr., the fictional team executive.
  • The plot focuses on trades, roster decisions, and pressure from ownership and management.
  • The film includes a supporting cast featuring Jennifer Garner, Denis Leary, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, and Chadwick Boseman.
  • It was released in 2014 and is classified as a sports drama.
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Canadian context

Draft Day was directed by Ivan Reitman, a Canadian filmmaker, which makes it relevant to Canadian film audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Draft Day about?
It follows the Cleveland Browns’ general manager as he tries to make major roster decisions during the NFL Draft after acquiring the number one pick.
Who directed Draft Day?
Ivan Reitman directed the film.
Who stars in Draft Day?
The film stars Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner, with Denis Leary, Frank Langella, Sam Elliott, Ellen Burstyn, and Chadwick Boseman in supporting roles.
When was Draft Day released?
Draft Day was released in 2014.
What genre is Draft Day?
It is a sports drama film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft_Day
    Supports: Film title, year, director, premise, and principal cast.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/draft_day
    Supports: Genre, runtime, release year, synopsis, and cast.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/it/title/tt2223990/
    Supports: Runtime, genre, and synopsis related to the NFL Draft setting.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/draft-day/umc.cmc.4qypd0hbgpuqczd4t18w6zl67
    Supports: Plot summary involving Sonny Weaver and the number one pick.