James Pearce Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Tennessee EDGE Draft Report

In a stacked 2025 NFL Draft class, James Pearce Jr. is a physical edge rusher from Tennessee who will likely go in the early second round of the draft. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook in this draft report. We will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

James Pearce Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Pearce possesses a lean, rangy frame with long arms that enhance his ability to keep blockers at bay. Impressively, his elite burst off the line—evidenced by a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine—places him among the fastest edge rushers in his class. While his frame suggests room to add 10-15 pounds of muscle, his current build prioritizes speed and agility over raw power, a trade-off that defines his play style.

After a modest freshman year in Knoxville, Pearce erupted onto the scene in 2023. Impressively, he led the SEC with 10 sacks as a sophomore. His 2024 season saw a slight dip in sack production (7.5). However, he remained a consistent pressure generator, earning back-to-back First-Team All-SEC honors—a rare feat for a Tennessee defensive lineman. At just 21 years old, Pearce declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, bringing a blend of youth, athleticism, and upside to the table.

HT: 6052
WT: 245
40: 4.47
ARM: 3268

Strengths

• Explosive First Step: Pearce’s get-off is exceptional, often putting offensive tackles on their heels before they can fully set. His snap anticipation and initial burst are a terror on passing downs.
• Bend and Flexibility: He displays rare hip fluidity and ankle flexion for a player his size, allowing him to dip under blockers and flatten his rush path to the quarterback.
• Pass-Rush Instincts: Pearce isn’t just a one-trick speed rusher. He’s shown a developing arsenal of moves—swipes, rips, and an occasional spin—that keep linemen guessing. His ability to convert speed to power late in reps adds another layer to his game.
• Athletic Versatility: Comfortable rushing from both two- and three-point stances, Pearce has also flashed potential in coverage drops, a bonus for creative defensive coordinators. His lateral agility shines when looping on stunts or chasing plays backside.
• High Motor: Relentless in pursuit, Pearce consistently finishes plays with effort, whether chasing down ball carriers or collapsing pockets late in the down.

Areas for Improvement

• Play Strength: At his current weight, Pearce struggles to anchor against the run when linemen get their hands inside his frame. He can be pushed off his spot by powerful tackles or double teams.
• Run Defense Consistency: While he’s effective in pursuing from the backside, Pearce’s block recognition and ability to set the edge against downhill runs need refinement. He’s often late to shed blocks or misreads pulling linemen.
• Pass-Rush Polish: His hand usage sometimes lacks precision, and he relies heavily on his athleticism rather than a refined counter plan. He can stall out against technically sound blockers when his initial move fails.
• Functional Mass: Pearce’s lean build limits his ability to bull rush or hold ground against bigger NFL linemen. Adding functional strength without sacrificing speed will be key to his development.
• Tackling in Space: Against mobile quarterbacks, Pearce occasionally overruns plays or fails to break down effectively, leading to missed sacks or tackles.

Conclusion

Pearce is a game-changer in obvious passing situations, where his speed and bend wreak havoc on opposing tackles. His 2023 season (10 sacks, 14.5 TFLs) and 2024 campaign (7.5 sacks, 13 TFLs) underline his ability to disrupt backfields, even when facing constant attention from offenses. His pick-six in the 2024 Citrus Bowl against Iowa showcased his playmaking flair, while his 113 career quarterback pressures (per PFF) highlight his consistency as a pass-rush threat. However, his run defense remains a work in progress, often limiting him to sub-package roles early in his career.

Pearce projects best as a stand-up outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, where his speed can be unleashed from wider alignments. Ultimately, he’d thrive in an aggressive, attack-style front that prioritizes pressure over stout run defense early on. Specifically, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs, who value twitchy edge rushers in hybrid schemes, could maximize his skill set. In a 4-3, he’d fit as a weakside end but may need to bulk up to handle base downs.

Overall, Pearce evokes shades of Brian Burns. That being a tall, lean edge rusher with elite burst and bend who needed time to round out his game against the run. Like Burns, Pearce’s immediate value lies in his pass-rush upside. Ads=ditionally, with the potential to grow into a three-down player in the NFL with the right coaching.

Round Grade: 2nd Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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