Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce takes a tumble in latest 2025 NFL mock draft from ESPN
Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce might be a top 15 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Or he might fall to third round. That's how crazy the outlook for Pearce is ahead of next month's draft. The Charlotte, NC native was viewed as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft […]
Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce might be a top 15 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Or he might fall to third round.
That's how crazy the outlook for Pearce is ahead of next month's draft.
The Charlotte, NC native was viewed as the potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft a year ago at this time. But despite a strong junior season and a tremendous performance at the NFL scouting combine last month, Pearce's draft stock continues to tumble as we inch closer to this year's draft.
ESPN's latest mock draft, for example, has Pearce going to the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 49 overall selection (Round 2).
From ESPN: Getting Hendrickson to return is Cincinnati's biggest priority, but they need help opposite him with Sam Hubbard's retirement and Joseph Ossai's lack of development. Pearce is a productive player, though slightly undersized at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. He had 17.5 sacks the past two seasons combined and has speed scouts love, running the 40 in 4.47 seconds with a 1.56-second 10-yard split. Pearce was once considered a top-10 overall prospect, but a lack of play strength and a pass-rush plan beyond speed rushes have caused concern around the league. But he has a high immediate ceiling as a pass-rush specialist.
Pearce is an elite pass rusher with elite athleticism. Sure, he needs to be better when it comes to defending the run (though he improved in 2024), and there are lingering concerns about his coachability (though we don't know how viable those concerns are), but let's not make this more difficult than it is. Pearce is a first-round talent that could immediately help an NFL team as a rookie. If he falls to the second or third round of the draft, some team will be getting an incredibly massive steal.
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