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Pro Football Focus has James Pearce as a top-10 pick in latest NFL mock draft

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•02/17/25•

GrantRamey

James-Pearce

Pro Football Focus is still high on James Pearce’s NFL Draft stock, projecting Tennessee’s star pass rusher to be a top-10 pick in its latest mock draft. PFF’s Jordan Plocher had Pearce going No. 9 overall to the New Orleans Saints.

“The Saints’ pass rush struggled in 2024, earning a 65.5 team grade — ranking just 23rd in the league,” Polcher wrote. “Pearce brings the athleticism and pass-rush ability they need, having generated over 50 pressures in each of his last two seasons while facing top-tier SEC competition.”

Travis Hunter is PFF’s projected No. 1 overall pick, going to the Tennessee Titans, ahead of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter at No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 to the New York Giants. 

LSU tackle Will Campbell was the No. 4 pick to the New England Patriots and Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham was the No. 5 pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was the No. 6 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, Miami quarterback Cam Ward was the No. 7 pick to the New York Jets and Arizona wide receiver Tetaiora McMillan was the No. 8 pick to the Carolina Panthers. 

ESPN mock draft projects James Pearce dropping to No. 29 overall

A two-round NFL mock draft from ESPN two weeks ago had Pearce dropping all the way to No. 29 overall to the Washington Commanders, with Pearce being the fifth edge rusher off the board.

The hype over Pearce’s draft stock peaked in April, when Pro Football Focus named him a possible No. 1 pick. He was coming off a breakout sophomore season in which he had 10.0 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and 28 sacks in 13 games.

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 the first three games of the season. 

Over the last two years, Pearce has combined for 17.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, with 66 tackles and one interception returned for a touchdown. He played in 39 games in three seasons with the Vols, recording 19.5 sacks, 30 tackles for loss and 71 tackles. 

James Pearce ranked No. 4 at OLB by ESPN’s Mel Kiper

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Pearce as the No. 4 outside linebacker on his NFL Draft big board, coming in behind Carter, Williams and Green. He didn’t have Pearce ranked in his top 25 draft prospects.

“Tennessee spent the early part of the season rolling its opponents,” Kiper wrote in December, “limiting Pearce to 56 snaps over the team’s first three games. But Pearce — who had 10 sacks in 2023 — has seen plenty of action of late. 

“I see a lot of speed off the edge, and he does a nice job mixing up his pass-rush moves to keep offensive tackles on their heels. Pearce could still add weight to his frame. But even at 243 pounds, he shows the ability to win with power. And when asked to help in run defense, he has the quickness to make plays in lateral pursuit.”

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