According to recent reports, Tennessee Volunteers Edge James Pearce Jr.’s Draft stock is currently rising rapidly, with the potential for the defensive lineman to go within the first ten picks of the first round.
The College Football Network Draft Big Board currently ranks Pearce Jr. as the fifteenth-best prospect and third-best Edge in this year’s Draft class, behind Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Georgia’s Jalon Walker.
James Pearce Jr. Visits 5 Potential Draft Destinations
According to Ian Rapport, the Tennessee player, he spent yesterday with the Arizona Cardinals, who currently hold the sixteenth pick in this year’s Draft.
In our most recent Mock Draft, the Cardinals were projected to pick up an Edge Rusher in the first round, meaning that Pearce Jr could leapfrog Shemar Stewart in that area due to the recent reports.
The Tennessee Edge Rusher also spent last week with the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons and is set to visit the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals next week.
During the NFL Combine, Pearce Jr. performed well, which should have increased his draft prospects. He recorded the fastest forty-yard dash for any Edge Rusher who took part in the Combine.
Edge Rushers’s Draft Prospects Could Take A Hit Due To Off-Field Issues
However, reports surfaced during the Combine that indicated that Pearce Jr had some off-field issues, according to some anonymous NFL insiders.
The Tennessee Volunteers edge rusher defended himself during his program’s recent Pro Days, denying the claims made about him and noting that he was a “good guy.”
“I’m a great guy. I’m a great teammate, a great player, I’m a people person. I’ve got a good heart.” Pearce told the media during Tennessee’s Pro Day, a claim that was backed by his coach, Josh Huepel.
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“James has done a really good job. The football understanding grew really quickly and has continued to grow, developing as a man, as a person.” Huepel defended Pearce.
According to Sports Illustrated, despite the reports, the majority of GMs were still impressed by the Tennessee Edge Rusher’s performance at the combine.
“I think his workout yesterday and his interviews did him really well. What a terrific young man personally, and an athlete, no doubt. I think for teams picking at the bottom of the first round, he certainly has a chance of going. He’s got room to grow and has the character to do it,” reported one GM when speaking to Sports Illustrated.
While some reports indicate that Pearce Jr. could be among the top ten picks, others say he could fall out of the first round completely. All we can do now is wait and see what will happen when the NFL Draft takes place in Wisconsin later this month.
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