The stars of this year’s NFL Draft dazzled on the red carpet on Thursday night as they prepared for the biggest night of their lives.
A total of 257 players will live out a dream and hear their name called over the course of the next three days, but Thursday night will see the best in class get selected.
A total of 16 players will enjoy the on-site festivities and have the opportunity to give NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a giant hug on stage.
Hours before the Las Vegas Raiders go on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick, players flaunted their expensive suits and posed with loved ones in Pittsburgh.
Running back Jeremiyah Love, believed to be the most talented player in this year’s draft class, opened his suit jacket to reveal it’s lined with photos of his best moments from his time at Notre Dame.
Love posed for pictures with his parents, L’Tonya and Jason, before they put their hands together to form a love heart.
Running back Jeremiyah Love revealed a stunning custom-made suit for the NFL Draft
Love posed with both of his parents on the red carpet, who formed a heart with their hands
Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey poses with members of his family hours before the draft
Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles is expected to command a top-10 pick on Thursday night
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson poses on the red carpet with lots of teams interested
Love wore a brown jacquard suit with a white shirt and matching brown tie. Attention was drawn to his necklace, however, which boasted some bold pendants.
Speaking of bold jewellery, Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor showed off his dental diamonds on the red carpet.
Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey and Sonny Styles of Ohio State both kept it simple with tuxedos, while Rueben Bain Jr. looked smart in a full brown suit.
Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson kept it casual with a jacket over a white shirt and black tie
But one man who won’t be there is the Raiders’ expected No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
He is spending the night with his family in Miami. His mother, Elsa Mendoza, has multiple sclerosis so traveling is difficult.
After Mendoza, there is little certainty as to where the draft could go.
The biggest question is who goes No. 2 to the New York Jets between Ohio State’s Arvell Reese or Texas Tech’s David Bailey, who are considered the two best edge rushers in the draft.
After Mendoza, it could be a while until another quarterback is selected. Alabama’s Ty Simpson is expected to be the next one. He’s among the group of players in attendance and there’s a chance he might have to wait until Round 2 on Friday night.
Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor showed off his dental diamonds on the red carpet
Ty Simpson is the second best quarterback in this year’s class but it’s unclear where he’ll go
Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. signs an autograph ahead of the biggest night of his life
The first round should be about an hour faster than it’s been because the time between picks was shortened from 10 minutes to eight minutes.
One year after every team entered the draft with a first-round pick for the first time since the start of the common draft in 1967, there has been plenty of picks moving, with the latest coming when Cincinnati sent the 10th pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence.
The teams other than the Giants with multiple first-rounders are the New York Jets, Cleveland, Kansas City, Miami and Dallas.
The teams without a first-rounder are Cincinnati, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Jacksonville and Denver.
Barring a trade, the Jaguars won’t make a pick in the first round for the first time since entering the NFL in 1995 thanks to the deal during last year’s draft to move up to pick Travis Hunter second overall.
