James Pearce Jr. was one of a few annual top guys a full year out from his draft year. While his 2024 didn't match up statistically with his incredible 2023, the Tennessee product remains one of the marquee edge rush names in this 2025 NFL Draft class. A Charlotte, North Carolina native who was never offered a scholarship from Duke or UNC, Pearce landed with the Vols as a four-star recruit and as the focal point of their pass rush rotation, made back-to-back First-Team All-SEC selections with 17.5 sacks, 27.5 TFLs, and three fumbles forced between his Sophmore and Junior seasons.
Pearce might have one of the more unique builds among edge rush prospects in the last few years. He's 6'5" with a massive wingspan, but he weighs in the ballpark of where current Minnesota Viking Dallas Turner did pre-draft last year, the low 240 lb range. That lack of bulk and play strength has been used against him as a prospect, but nevertheless, he's been able to produce big numbers in the SEC, no less. As explosive as he is, is it enough to stand out in a class with the likes of Abdul Carter, Mykel Williams, Mike Green, and Jalon Walker at the top of the board?
Player Bio
Name: James Pearce Jr.
Jersey: No. 27
Position: EDGE
School: Tennessee
Class: Junior
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 243 lbs
Games Watched: vs. Texas A&M and Iowa (Citrus Bowl, 2023), vs. Alabama and Georgia (2024)
Player Breakdown
Pass Rush Ability (14/15)
Having the frame that Pearce does is such an advantage, as he can parlay his explosive get-off ability into first contact with his massive reach to dictate the terms of engagement in those opening moments post-snap. Even with the playing strength not being up to par, that didn't stop the Tennessee product from putting together a bevy of excellent pass-rush snaps, with some improvements in the hand-fighting department in 2024. Additionally, the speed-to-power game can be an incredible, perhaps even a go-to asset for him, assuming Pearce can pack on about a dozen pounds. You saw glimpses of it, and significantly more so in 2024.
Also worth noting is that while Pearce was sensational on the pass rush front against Alabama in 2024, I thought he left multiple sacks on the table, including one that would've been for a safety. Pearce also could be a bit more mindful about keeping contain against more mobile QBs. This snap against Georgia, where Carson Beck goes in for six, would be your best example of that.
One final note as well: heavy four-point stance usage for Pearce on pass rush downs, which I imagine isn't anything new for Tennessee fans.
Explosiveness (9.5/10)
Abdul Carter might be the only guy who has Pearce beat in the explosiveness department as far as this edge rusher class goes, and it's not by much if so. The big knock here would be that it could translate to the run game a tad bit more consistently, but there were more than a few plays where he burst by the line and ended run plays for losses.
First Step (10/10)
You don't often find guys with that initial speed off the snap like Pearce. Watch this snap vs. Texas A&M, where he times up the snap perfectly and gets enough contact on the quarterback to disrupt things here. Superhuman doesn't do it justice.
Bend (7.75/10)
While Pearce's lower body flexibility was undoubtedly better than I initially anticipated, I would have liked to have seen him be more consistent in going around the bend vs. tackles and not be as linear as he was. A good three-cone drill outing at either his pro day or the combine would do enough to ease some concerns, though.
Hand Usage (9.25/10)
I'd reference the Stock Exchange boys when it comes to a lack of counters for Pearce, but I think Pearce has a lot of power in his paws and he knows how to use them very well. Everywhere from placement and especially hand fighting at the point of attack, Pearce has a great baseline to enter the league with.
Motor (9.25/10)
I saw some tweets before getting into the film about the folks at Tennessee loving Pearce's work ethic, and that certainly shows up on tape, make no mistake about it. He's not going to win you 100 percent of "your" reps with some of his limitations, but rarely, if ever, did I feel cheated by anything effort-related.
Tackling (8.5/10)
There was nothing that I would call gravely concerning, but there were some sack and behind-the-LOS run game tackle opportunities that Pearce didn't convert. The Alabama game was a bit frustrating in that regard. Otherwise, I was impressed with his tackling ability, both on and off the ball.
Strength at the LOS (7.25/10)
Even with his leverage advantage and ability to convert speed to power, somewhat leveling the playing field for himself, Pearce is limited in how much power he can generate off the edge at 243 lbs. This wasn't one of the scouted games, but this rep vs. last year's No. 5 overall pick, JC Latham, would be a good example. Pearce needs more muscle mass going into the NFL, simply and to the point.
Run Defense (7.75/10)
Pearce's ability as a run defender visibly improved from 2023 to 2024, but I don't know if it's enough to warrant rookie run-game snaps in the NFL off the edge. He had some very impressive plays getting into the backfield immediately for stops, but plenty of others where he was stonewalled and not much of a factor. Can't see that improving much more at his current weight.
Versatility (4.25/5)
Pearce probably isn't a guy you'll see lining up over tackle much, and more likely at all, when he's drafted, but he should be right at home in five, seven, or nine-tech. I will also note that there's potential for Pearce to be a plus asset playing off the ball in certain situations. PFF only has him down for 50 career snaps off the ball, but he showed some great eye discipline and shallow zone coverage chops in the ones that popped up in these games. Take this pick-six against Iowa in the Citrus Bowl from a few years ago, for example.
Player Summary
If you're a fan of speed off the edge, James Pearce is your guy; there's no other way to put it. He absolutely needs to bulk up at least 10 lbs, but he has a lot of natural tools coaches would kill to get their hands on right away and get him up to speed more as a run defender.
Assuming these character concern rumors are a farce and he lands around where this grade indicates, I can see Pearce ending up with a team like the Falcons. New DC Jeff Ulbrich coached a guy who did a ton of damage out of a four-point stance in Bryce Huff when they were both in New York, and I could see them using him in a similar role to open his career. I wouldn't blame a team like the Falcons for preferring someone like Mykel Williams or Jalon Walker, but all options should be on the table for them. In any event, though, I'm fascinated to see how Pearce's game translates to the NFL; very interesting player.
Rookie Projections: Defensive Rookie of the Year Dark Horse/Pass Rush Specialist
Third-Year Projections: Every Down EDGE
Final Grade (87.25/100): Mid-1st Round Talent
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