Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. had 17 sacks over the past two seasons for the Volunteers — numbers that intrigue NFL scouts. But his stock has taken a hit due to questions about his run-stopping ability and maturity.
Where could Pearce Jr. land in the 2025 NFL Draft? Will he be a first-round pick?
Recent NFL mock draft projections have the star Volunteers pass rusher going as high as No. 16 in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, with some others projecting him as a late first-round selection.
Check out the latest NFL draft projections and chatter for James Pearce Jr. in the 2025 NFL Draft. Which team(s) would be a good fit for the pass rusher?
The Arizona Republic: James Pearce Jr. picked by Detroit Lions at No. 28
Theo Mackie writes: "Pearce’s stock has fallen a bit through draft season, due to concerns about his ability as a run stopper. His pass rushing ability, though, would create an incredible tandem with Aidan Hutchinson and pose serious problems for opposing offensive coordinators."
USA TODAY Sports: James Pearce Jr. lands with Philadelphia Eagles at No. 32
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz writes: "Howie Roseman returned to his usual tactics in free agency by buying the dip with one-year deals for a couple of talented edge rushers in Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Here, he can employ the same strategy to find a long-term solution at one of his most coveted spots, with Pearce having the explosive initial burst and closing speed of a top pick despite his occasionally uneven results."