Skip to main content
tennessee logo

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. moves James Pearce back into first round of NFL Draft

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•03/18/25•

GrantRamey

James Pearce, Tennessee Football | Tennessee Athletics
James Pearce, Tennessee Football | Tennessee Athletics

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. moved Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce back into the first round in his mock draft on Tuesday, with Pearce going at No. 28 overall to the Detroit Lions.

Outside linebacker Abdul Carter was projected as the No. 2 overall pick to the Cleveland Browns and Georgia’s Mykel Williams was projected at No. 10 overall to the Chicago Bears.

Marshall outside linebacker Mike Green was the No. 15 overall pick to the Atlanta Falcons and Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart was the No. 17 pick to the Cincinnati Bengals.

James Pearce last season: 7.5 sacks, 13 TFLs

“Pearce could be the answer opposite Aidan Hutchinson,” Kiper wrote. “Besides figuring out how to stay healthy, the second edge rush spot was the Lions’ biggest question last season. They traded for Za’Darius Smith at midseason, and he ended up contributing with four sacks over eight games.

“But to get past their playoff hump, having a steadier presence rushing the passer on the other side of Hutchinson is key.

Pearce last season had 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss in 13 games, finishing strong after having just 0.5 tackles for loss and no sacks through Tennessee’s first three games of the season. 

Kiper did not have Pearce projected to be a first-round pick before the Combine and had him ranked sixth among outside linebackers on his NFL Draft Big Board.

2025 NFL Draft: First Round, Thursday, April 24

Kiper now has Pearce ranked No. 4 among outside linebackers on his NFL Draft Big Board, behind Carter, Green and Williams. 

“Pearce had just 7.5 sacks in 2024,” Kiper wrote, “but his 19% pressure rate was second in the FBS. He keeps offensive tackles guessing with his burst and strength.”

Pearce turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine in February with a 4.47 time in the 40. His 10-yard time of 1.58 was in the 98th percentile. His 40 time was the fastest among defensive ends at the Combine.

Pearce said after taking part in Tennessee’s Pro Day that being a first-round pick in the NFL Draft would “mean a lot to me.”

“It means a lot to me to be a great player, a great person,” Pearce said. “I feel like that’s what first-round picks fall under. That’s what the first pick falls under. I feel like that’s what the best player falls under.”

You may also like