The Lions are probably pretty unlikely to draft edge rushers Mike Green and James Pearce in the 2025 NFL Draft, here's why
The Detroit Lions are a team that is all about culture. That's how they've built this team from day one, and it's just a deal breaker for them when it comes to player acquisition. Their culture is so deep that they would move past the best player in the world if they felt he didn't […]
The Detroit Lions are a team that is all about culture. That's how they've built this team from day one, and it's just a deal breaker for them when it comes to player acquisition. Their culture is so deep that they would move past the best player in the world if they felt he didn't fit who they are.
There are two players that often get mocked to the Lions at 28 who are both good, but just don't fit the Lions for different reasons. That's Marshall edge rusher Mike Green and Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
We'll start with Pearce. There's a good player there, but there have been some concerns about his coachability and his desire to play his position. A Power-4 offensive line coach had this to say about Pearce:
“He wants no part of setting the edge and stopping the run. He reminds me a lot of (former Falcons first-rounder) Vic Beasley.”
If you don't remember Beasley, he went eighth in the 2015 NFL Draft and last played for the Arlington Renegades in the UFL. It didn't work out for him.
To be fair, Vols insider Austin Price believes this is all posturing from the league to try to drive down his stock. He did concede that Pearce could be a chore, though.
"I think a lot of this is posturing," said Price of the rumors surrounding Pearce. "I think some teams want James Pearce to fall (in the draft). If he's falling to the third round, somebody is gonna look like a fool. James Pearce has got limitless talent. Now, was James Pearce a chore sometimes? Sure, I mean, but they all are…none of these kids are perfect."
Even if it's posturing, the Lions want a football player who lives and breathes football. If they believe Pearce is not that guy, they'll move past him.
In terms of Mike Green, there are some real legal concerns. He was accused of sexual assault in high school before signing on to play at Virginia. No formal charges were filed in that case.
He was then accused of sexual assault again while at Virginia in his second season. Green was not charged in that case either, but Virginia, who asked Green to sign a zero-tolerance policy, suspended him. Green then left Virginia and went to Marshall, where he had a really big season.
We won't litigate whether Green is guilty because that is not our decision. We can say that it might sway the Lions in the opposite direction.
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