ESPN's Mel Kiper predicts free fall in draft for former Tennessee Vol James Pearce, Jr., but one that ends in a great spot
Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. was looked in the offseason before the 2024 season as perhaps the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, given his production in 2023 and freakishly athletic skillset. Months later, with the 2024 season now concluded, Pearce isn't getting quite the same love from the draft pundits, […]
Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. was looked in the offseason before the 2024 season as perhaps the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, given his production in 2023 and freakishly athletic skillset.
Months later, with the 2024 season now concluded, Pearce isn't getting quite the same love from the draft pundits, although many still have him as a first rounder.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. issued his first mock draft and is the latest to see the former Vol pass rusher down the board a bit. He has Pearce falling almost far in the first round, but not out, instead getting taken by the Detroit Lions with the 28th pick.
Kiper had the following to say about Pearce:
Even with Aidan Hutchinson (leg) back in the picture next season, Detroit can't let this Super Bowl window slip away because the pass rush doesn't have enough juice. The Lions' 37 sacks tied for 23rd in the NFL this season. They were also 25th in pass rush win rate at 35.4%. Injuries wore down the defense, but there weren't enough playmakers there to begin with, even after the midseason trade for Za'Darius Smith.
Pearce still needs to build out his 6-5 frame, but his speed could make a difference in Detroit. He mixes up pass-rush moves and gets home to the QB, with 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
Detroit would be an interesting spot for Pearce to land. First, the Lions have one of the NFL's elite edge rushers in former Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson. The second overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson had a strong first two seasons with 21 total sacks. He had a dominant start to the 2024 season with 7.5 sacks in 5 games before suffering a broken leg on October 13 that ended his season.
Putting Pearce across from him could serve to free up attention given to Hutchinson with chips and TE/RB help. Likewise, Hutchinson's presence would give ample one-on-one opportunities on the opposite side for Pearce, which would be a great situation for a young player to be in. Not to mention the Lions went 15-2 in the regular season and appear to be built for continued years as top NFC contenders.
It surely would be a disappointment to see Pearce fall and lose dollars as a result. He performed well enough in Knoxville to earn a big rookie pay day. However, ending up with a contender that could result in a good luck at a Super Bowl wouldn't be a bad consolation prize either.
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