Where Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce lands in ESPN's latest 2025 NFL mock draft
ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled his latest 2025 NFL mock draft on Wednesday and he Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce as one of the first picks off the board. Reid, who has Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders going No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns, has the Tennessee Titans selecting Pearce with the No. 5 overall […]
ESPN's Jordan Reid unveiled his latest 2025 NFL mock draft on Wednesday and he Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce as one of the first picks off the board.
Reid, who has Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders going No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns, has the Tennessee Titans selecting Pearce with the No. 5 overall pick.
Pearce, who is currently a junior at Tennessee, is expected to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft after the 2024 season.
From ESPN: Here's another team that could address quarterback, as the jury is still out on Will Levis. Let's put a pin in that for now; it's only October. Instead, I'm looking at the defense, where the Titans need pass rushers. They are one of seven teams with fewer than 10 sacks (nine). Pearce is a scheme-versatile defender who can play standing up at outside linebacker or with his hand down in the dirt at defensive end. And while he has managed just two sacks, his pressure rate (17.6%) ranks fourth in the nation. Scouts will be watching Pearce closely the rest of the way, starting this Saturday against Alabama.
There's still a long way to go until the 2025 NFL Draft, so I wouldn't put too much stock into mock drafts at this point. That's not to discredit Reid's work — I think this is a great look at how the draft would look if it were being held this week — but there's a lot that will likely change over the final couple of months of the college football season.
As for Pearce, he's consistently been projected as a potential top five draft selection in 2025 since his breakout sophomore season in 2023.
The Charlotte, NC native hasn't put up crazy numbers so far this season — 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in six games — but he's still making a huge impact for the Tennessee defense. Pearce is a force in the trenches and his presence often creates opportunities for his teammates.
For now, it would be a major surprise if Pearce isn't at least a top 10 pick next spring.
