The NFL Draft opens tonight at 8.

Until then, here is the Herald’s first and only first-round mock draft of the year.

Tennessee GM Mike Borgonzi, an Everett native, has already announced he knows whom he will be selecting with this pick. And that player is Ward.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has been the odds-on favorite at this pick for weeks. No late changes here, as Cleveland adds one of the best college football players ever and most exciting prospect arguably in franchise history.

For all the hubbub around New York considering a quarterback, no front office should pass on a potential All-Pro pass rusher like Carter, and the Giants don’t here with an easy selection at No. 3.

Wary of the increasing buzz that Jacksonville covets Jeanty as the last blue-chip prospect available, the Raiders leap two spots in a trade with the Patriots. Jeanty then joins a Las Vegas team with a win-now focus under new 73-year-old coach Pete Carroll and new 34-year-old quarterback Geno Smith.

An elite edge rusher who can also play off the ball, Walker provides a nice consolation prize for the Jaguars at No. 5. He’s regarded as an exceptional leader and competitor, the type of talent and person a new regime should want to build around.

Despite moving back two spots, Mike Vrabel still gets his man. Campbell is a hand-in-glove fit for Vrabel’s culture, and the Patriots’ most pressing team need at left tackle, even if his remarkably short wingspan might ultimately force a move inside to guard at the NFL level.

Membou instantly slides in as the Jets’ new right tackle, forming an enviable starting duo with 2024 first-round pick and new left tackle Olu Fashanu.

After whiffing on Milton Williams in free agency, Carolina adds the best player available here in Graham; a can’t-miss prospect who can play all three downs and creates constant disruption.

Surprise! Late-arriving league buzz has indicated New Orleans not only will pass on a quarterback, but take Williams. He’s a highly talented edge rusher.

Chicago doesn’t need a tight end, but first-year coach Ben Johnson can’t pass up a new chess piece and consensus top-10 prospect in Warren. At Penn State, Warren played in-line tight end, split out as a wide receiver, took snaps at quarterback and running back. Expect Johnson to steal some of those concepts for next season to maximize one of the most talented rookies in the NFL.

A Senior Bowl star with elite traits, Green lands in San Francisco, where the 49ers desperately need to rebuild their defense. Expect the Niners to also consider defensive tackle or cornerback here.

One of the most popular projections in the first round, McMillan will provide a nice complement to Pro Bowler wideout CeeDee Lamb. He’s the most gifted receiver in the draft (outside of Hunter), a 6-foot-4, 219-pounder who compares favorably to Falcons star wideout Drake London.

It’s unclear whether Banks will play left tackle or left guard at the next level, but that’s no problem for Miami after it lost veteran left tackle Terron Armstead to retirement and too many battles at left guard in recent years. Banks is among the top prospects who should go higher than expected tonight.

Loveland is an all-around tight end near the top of one of the best tight end classes in recent memory. For a team like the Colts, who need a tight end as badly as anyone, this is an easy pick.

Stewart is a physical freak with unteachable strength, length and explosiveness, a walking prototype for NFL defensive ends. But he’s also a project, having tallied just 5.5 TFLs and 1.6 sacks last year. The Falcons bet on his traits here out of desperation, having gone five seasons without a player recording more than eight sacks.

Arizona is officially on the rise, and Nolen’s interior pass rush could help a defense that ranked 16th last year inch closer to the top 10.

One of the most electric prospects in the entire draft, Barron can capably bounce between the slot and deep safety. The only surprise here would be if he fell past this pick.

A monster off the ball and off the edge, Campbell is a gift to second-year coach Mike MacDonald. If Seattle doesn’t take Campbell, look for North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel to receive strong consideration here.

Few teams need cornerbacks more than the Buccaneers, who land a former top-10 projected pick in Johnson. He had a rough pre-draft process, but the raw talent and cover skills are undeniable.

The Broncos feel they’re close. In Hampton, they add a final piece to their offensive puzzle and replace former starter Javonte Williams who couldn’t average more than 3.7 yards per carry behind a bulldozing O-line.

The future is finally here in Pittsburgh. The bet here is Sanders impressed coach Mike Tomlin with his toughness and spirit. He’s also an accurate passer who will need good structure to survive, and should find it with ex-Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

A behemoth defensive tackle, Grant reunites with former coach John Harbaugh in an easy pick for Los Angeles. The 331-pounder should contribute right away in a defense that started strong but got pushed around after Thanksgiving last year.

Green Bay officials race to hand the card in for Golden, whom some see as the best receiver in the draft. Golden caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns last season, while blazing through opposing secondaries with his 4.29 speed.

The Giants have their first-round cake and eat it too, selecting Abdul Carter with their original pick and trading back up ahead of the Rams, who may want to develop Dart behind aging Matthew Stafford. In doing so, coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen boost their roster for the present and make an argument to keep their jobs in the future.

After dismantling their offensive line this offseason, Houston begins to rebuild with Simmons, who some believe would have been a top-10 pick had he not tore a patellar tendon last season.

An unexpected faller, Starks lands in Los Angeles where he should start right away. Scouts like him as a do-it-all safety whose experience covering deep, in the slot and over the middle for a multiple Georgia defense should only ease his transition to the NFL.

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Emmanwori is perhaps the most gifted athlete in the entire draft and a perfect fit inside a nasty Baltimore defense. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he became the only safety since 2003 to run under a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, jump at least 40 inches in the vertical jump and at least 11 feet in the broad jump at the combine.

After getting blasted in the playoffs, the Lions lick their wounds here by restocking on defense. Ezeiruake destroyed opposing offensive linemen last year, posting 16.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 20.5 tackles for loss as an All-American. He's a high-energy player Detroit coach Dan Campbell should love.

The best player available becomes a new favorite target for Jayden Daniels. Egbuka is regarded as a high-character prospect with a high floor who should make plays immediately out of the slot and could develop more outside.

Expect the Bills to lean defense in this year's draft, and Pearce kicks off their new class as an athletic, natural pass rusher. The 6-foot-5, 247-pounder was named All-SEC first team last season and posted 27.5 tackles for loss over his last two years in college.

In free agency, Kansas City signed 49ers backup Jaylon Moore to be their new starting left tackle. But with only 12 career starts, Moore is no guarantee. Enter Conerly, a talented pass-protector who should have Patrick Mahomes' back for years to come; whether he starts as a rookie or not.

Another draft, another first-round defensive lineman for the Eagles. Harmon threads the needle here as the best player available and a young talent who can help Philly reload after losing Josh Sweat and Milton Williams in free agency.

*The Raiders move up to No. 4 overall in a trade with New England that sends their picks at No. 6 and No. 68 overall to the Patriots.

**The Giants trade up to No. 24 overall in a trade with Minnesota that sends their picks at No. 34 and No. 65 to the Vikings for the first-round selection and a fifth-rounder at No. 139.