ESPN still has Tennessee's James Pearce as a top-five pick in latest NFL mock draft
James Pearce is still a top-five pick in the NFL Draft, according to the latest mock draft published this week. ESPN’s Jordan Reid had Pearce going at No. 5 overall to the Tennessee Titans.
Reid had Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders at No. 1 overall to the Cleveland Browns, ahead of Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter going No. 2 to the New England Patriots.
Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter was the No. 3 pick to the Carolina Panthers and Miami quarterback Cam Ward was off the board at No. 4 to the Las Vegas Raiders, ahead of Pearce to the Titans at No. 5.
‘Scout will be watching Pearce closely the rest of the way’
“Here’s another team that could address quarterback,” Reid wrote of the Titans, “as the jury is still out on Will Levis. Let’s put a pin in that for now; it’s only October. Instead, I’m looking at the defense, where the Titans need pass rushers. They are one of seven teams with fewer than 10 sacks (nine).
“Pearce is a scheme-versatile defender,” Reid continued, “who can play standing up at outside linebacker or with his hand down in the dirt at defensive end. And while he has managed just two sacks, his pressure rate (17.6%) ranks fourth in the nation. Scouts will be watching Pearce closely the rest of the way, starting this Saturday against Alabama.”
Pearce has come on strong in SEC play, with seven tackles against Florida on Saturday and nine tackles two weeks ago at Arkansas. In SEC play he has 18 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
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James Pearce ranked No. 7 overall on Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board
Pearce is No. 4 overall in ESPN’s consensus top-10 for the 2025 NFL Draft, while Mel Kiper Jr. has him ranked No. 7 on his current big board.
“Tennessee spent the early part of the season rolling its opponents,” Kiper wrote, “limiting Pearce to 56 snaps over the team’s first three games. But Pearce — who is coming off a 10-sack season in 2023 — has seen plenty of action over his past two games.”
Pearce played a season-high 56 snaps at Arkansas, after playing 54 at Oklahoma, and played 32 more against Florida. He played just 10 in the 69-3 win over Chattanooga, 29 in the 51-10 win over NC State and 14 in the 71-0 win over Kent State.
“I see a lot of speed off the edge,” Kiper wrote, “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.”
