The 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, and so is your need to be prepared for all of tomorrow’s stars. Dive into our spotlight on James Pearce Jr., featuring his scouting report, strengths and weaknesses, his recent draft projection, and where all the experts predict he could land.
James Pearce Jr.’s NFL Draft Scouting Report
Pearce is an explosive edge rusher with the athleticism and the motor to generate consistent pressure as a pass rusher. He’s shown that his combination of first-step acceleration, counter agility, and speed-to-power allows him to beat NFL-caliber offensive linemen at the point of attack on a consistent basis.
He knows what moves to use against certain offensive linemen, and he executes those moves with precise timing and placement. Though he projects better as a stand-up edge rusher in a 3-4 base defense, Pearce can rush with his hand in the dirt and could fare well in a 4-3 base system if he can add more mass to his frame.
Pearce’s run defense projection is much less clear with his lower early-down usage and below-average proportional length, and teams will have to assess his mindset. But he’s ultimately one of the most prolific pass-rush producers in the class, and his upside is tantalizing.
James Pearce Jr.’s NFL Draft Projection
In CSN’s 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from April 12, Pearce landed to the Arizona Cardinals with the 16th pick of Round 1. James Fragoza has this to say:
Did James Pearce Jr. dominate as much as he did last season for the Tennessee Volunteers? No, but it’s not like he completely fell off, either. He still generated 13 TFLs and 7.5 sacks at 6’5″ and 245 pounds!
He has all the tools to produce from Day 1, using his length (near-33″ arms) and explosiveness (4.47 40-yard dash and 10’3″ broad jump) to devastating effect — something the Cardinals have not had in some time.
2025 NFL Draft Landing Spots for James Pearce Jr.
Here are other potential landing spots that have found their way in recent mock drafts:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Detroit Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles
- New England Patriots
James Pearce Jr.’s NFL Draft Profile
- Height: 6052
- Weight: 252 pounds
- Position: EDGE Defender
- School: Tennessee
- Arm: 3268
- Hand: 1000
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.47
- 10-Yard Split: 1.56
- Broad Jump: 10’3″
- Vertical Jump: 31.0″
James Pearce Jr.’s College Stats
Career:
- Games: 39
- Solo Tackles: 44
- Assists: 27
- TFL: 30
- Sacks: 19.5
- PBU: 2
- FR: 1
- FF: 3
2024:
- Games: 13
- Solo Tackles: 23
- Assists: 15
- TFL: 13
- Sacks: 7.5
- PBU: 1
- FR: 1
- FF: 1
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