'Sliding to the second round': Where ESPN analysts have James Pearce in NFL mock drafts
ESPN’s Peter Shrager projected Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce to be the No. 31 overall pick in the NFL Draft in his mock draft on Wednesday, with Pearce headed to the Kansas City Chiefs. But he noted that’s not where Pearce’s draft stock is headed.
“Most have him sliding to the second round,” Shrager wrote.
In ESPN’s five mock drafts from five NFL Draft analysts — Shrager, Mel Kiper Jr., Jordan Reid, Field Yates and Matt Miller — opinions on Pearce are split and vary widely, from as high as the No. 27 overall pick to as low as No. 49.
Here’s a closer look at the five mock draft projections for Pearce and the explanation from the ESPN NFL Draft analysts:
Field Yates Mock Draft: No. 27 Baltimore Ravens
“With the Ravens looking for more pass-rush juice, Pearce’s wait ends here. He entered this past season as a potential top-10 pick and has some of the most effortless movement skills of any pass rusher in this class. He ran a 4.47-second 40 and can really bend the edge, too. But his lack of consistency last season resulted in a stock drop. The Ravens could capitalize by landing Pearce and his considerable upside late in the first round.”
Peter Schrager Mock Draft: No. 31 Kansas City Chiefs
“The Chiefs could add another player with stellar physical traits to their defense. Pearce has double-digit sack potential and a ton of upside, though most have him sliding to the second round.”
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Mel Kiper Jr. Mock Draft: No. 32 Philadelphia Eagles
“The defending Super Bowl champs lost some key parts of their defense in free agency, including edge rusher Josh Sweat. Being able to get after the quarterback is important for Vic Fangio’s defense, and there’s a glaring void now on the edge. There are mixed opinions around the league on whether Pearce is a first-rounder, but he has the traits to develop into a speedy disruptor in the right system. He had 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons and ranked second in the nation in pressure rate last season (19.0%).”
Jordan Reid Mock Draft: No. 43 San Francisco 49ers
“The 49ers need edge help opposite Nick Bosa, and Pearce’s 19.0% pressure rate was second in the FBS last season. His draft stock is all over the place, with the scouts I’ve talked to having Pearce going off the board anywhere from the late teens to the late second round.”
Matt Miller Mock Draft: No. 49 Cincinnati Bengals
“Pearce is a productive player, though slightly undersized at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds. He had 17.5 sacks the past two seasons combined and has speed scouts love, running the 40 in 4.47 seconds with a 1.56-second 10-yard split. Pearce was once considered a top-10 overall prospect, but a lack of play strength and a pass-rush plan beyond speed rushes have caused concern around the league. But he has a high immediate ceiling as a pass-rush specialist.”
