NFL analyst gives the latest on how far Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce could fall in the 2025 NFL Draft
A year ago at this time, Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce was being projected by numerous media outlets as the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for Pearce, that's no longer the case. Despite possessing elite athletic traits and strong pass rushing skills, there's a chance that Pearce might […]
A year ago at this time, Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce was being projected by numerous media outlets as the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately for Pearce, that's no longer the case.
Despite possessing elite athletic traits and strong pass rushing skills, there's a chance that Pearce might not even be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
And according to The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner, Pearce could be in danger of falling out of the second round, too.
Pearce's talent has never been in doubt. Over the last couple of months, however, concerns about Pearce's "character" have started popping up.
Specifically, there are concerns about Pearce's "coachability".
From The Athletic: Repeating a theme there: Pearce could be a first-day target for the Panthers, though not with the eighth pick. A Charlotte native, Pearce collected 19 1/2 sacks over three seasons in Knoxville. But Baumgardner said questions about Pearce’s coachability could drop him out of the first and second rounds. Baumgardner’s take: “Could that be bluster, to a degree? Sure. Pearce’s talent is immense, but evaluators have concerns.”
As Baumgardner noted, the concern about Pearce's character could just be "bluster" from NFL teams in an effort to manipulate where the former Vol falls in the draft. That's something we see every year when it's draft time.
We'll see if Pearce actually falls to the second round (I have a hard time believing he could actually fall to the third round…he's a top 10 talent) when the rubber meets the road in late April.
The Carolina Panthers, as pointed out by The Athletic, could be a logical landing spot for Pearce — especially if Carolina trades down in the first round. The Panthers badly need to add a pass rusher and Pearce is from Charlotte.
Pearce has Pro Bowl potential, he didn't cause issues during his time at Tennessee, and he's one of the most athletic players in the draft. I'm willing to bet that an NFL team is going to take a chance on the North Carolina native in the first round.
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