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The Atlanta Falcons have selected Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft on April 24.
Pearce has played all three of his college seasons with the Volunteers, appearing in 39 total games on Tennessee’s defensive line.
Here are three things to know about the newest Falcons defender:
Pearce was part of a fierce Tennessee defense that helped lead the Volunteers to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.
But before that, Pearce led the SEC with 10 sacks in 2023 and led the team with 15 tackles for loss in just his second year in college football. He led the team once again with 7 ½ sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024.
Pearce was second among all FBS players in 2024 with a 19% pressure rate - meaning he pressured the quarterback on 19% of all his snaps.
NFL.com writer Eric Edholm listed Pearce as the 25th best player in the 2025 draft class, highlighting Pearce’s pass-rushing abilities as his most intriguing skill:
“He's not a complete player yet but turn on the Alabama tape from last October and you can easily see just how disruptive Pearce can be as a pass rusher.”
In a recent podcast, The Ringer’s draft expert Todd McShay said Pearce is the second-best pass rusher in the 2025 class.
The only pass rusher McShay ranks ahead of Pearce is Penn State edge Abdul Carter, who McShay ranks as the second-best player in the draft.
NFL Network sees Pearce as someone who could make an immediate impact despite some physical limitations:
“Pearce knows how to play around blocks and has the speed to close and tackle, but his base is naturally narrow and lacks bend… Despite those concerns, Pearce’s length, twitch and rush production create a higher ceiling.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: James Pearce Jr. draft: 3 things to know about Falcons first-round pick
Continue reading...
Pearce has played all three of his college seasons with the Volunteers, appearing in 39 total games on Tennessee’s defensive line.
Here are three things to know about the newest Falcons defender:
1. James Pearce Jr. led the SEC in sacks in 2023
Pearce was part of a fierce Tennessee defense that helped lead the Volunteers to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.
But before that, Pearce led the SEC with 10 sacks in 2023 and led the team with 15 tackles for loss in just his second year in college football. He led the team once again with 7 ½ sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 2024.
2. James Pearce Jr. was one of the best applying pressure in 2024
Pearce was second among all FBS players in 2024 with a 19% pressure rate - meaning he pressured the quarterback on 19% of all his snaps.
NFL.com writer Eric Edholm listed Pearce as the 25th best player in the 2025 draft class, highlighting Pearce’s pass-rushing abilities as his most intriguing skill:
“He's not a complete player yet but turn on the Alabama tape from last October and you can easily see just how disruptive Pearce can be as a pass rusher.”
3. Todd McShay lists James Pearce Jr. as the second-best pass rusher in the draft
In a recent podcast, The Ringer’s draft expert Todd McShay said Pearce is the second-best pass rusher in the 2025 class.
The only pass rusher McShay ranks ahead of Pearce is Penn State edge Abdul Carter, who McShay ranks as the second-best player in the draft.
NFL Network sees Pearce as someone who could make an immediate impact despite some physical limitations:
“Pearce knows how to play around blocks and has the speed to close and tackle, but his base is naturally narrow and lacks bend… Despite those concerns, Pearce’s length, twitch and rush production create a higher ceiling.”
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: James Pearce Jr. draft: 3 things to know about Falcons first-round pick
Continue reading...
