Tag: James Pearce

Commanders select EDGE James Pearce in latest NFL mock draft

The Washington Commanders get a boost in their run defense when they draft James Pearce in NFL.com’s latest mock draft.

The Washington Commanders built a solid foundation in 2024. Dan Quinn and Adam Peters drafted, curated, and created an environment that took the scattered pieces it had and formed them into a cohesive unit that performed far better than anyone anticipated. Both Peters and Quinn would tell you that they did not expect this level of success in their first season, but that’s exactly what happened.

On top of being so successful in 2024, they also have the third-largest amount of capital to spend in 2025 to solidify their weakest spots and make another run at the Super Bowl next season. That’s why many are pointing to the Commanders as a top spot for Myles Garrett to land, but the Commanders could also choose to answer the run defense question in the draft.

Eric Edholm of NFL.com released his first mock draft this week, and he has the Commanders selecting edge rusher James Pearce out of Tennessee with the 29th overall pick.

Washington Commanders – James Pearce Jr.
Tennessee · Edge · Junior

Washington needs as many impact defenders as it can find, and edge rusher is high on the priority list. Pearce is a leggy, loose rusher with some burst.

Now, Edholm likely created this prior to Garrett’s trade request, but even so, the Commanders could very well choose to leave Garrett out there for someone else and answer their questions in the draft. They drafted very well in 2024 and there’s no reason to think it will be different in 2025.

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ESPN suggests Saints may need to change their approach to the 2025 NFL draft

Should the New Orleans Saints adopt a ‘best player available’ approach in the 2025 NFL draft? ESPN suggests it could help them out:

The New Orleans Saints have a long, long list of needs heading into the offseason and do not have the luxury of targeting one specific part of the roster.

When looking across the top 10 picks of the 2025 NFL draft, ESPN’s Katherine Terrell suggested the team just worry about taking the best player available in the first round. This is part of what Terrell had to say about her reasoning:

At $70.6 million over the cap in 2025 (per Roster Management System), the Saints are likely going to have to draft for need. But their biggest need is open to interpretation. They are looking for successors at defensive end and linebacker for 35-year-olds Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, respectively. They also could use another wide receiver to slot alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, as well as permanent fixes to the offensive line.

As alluded to, that really doesn’t narrow much down. Rather than worrying about ranking those needs, the decision certainly should just revolve around who is on the board when they come up to pick.

Perhaps the Saints can consider what the bigger need is if they have two players of similar skill levels on the board at the same time.

For example, there is a world where Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks and Tennessee Volunteers defensive end James Pearce Jr. are on the board at nine. Both are extremely talented and impactful adds. Defensive end is bit bigger of an immediate need than safety, so that might influence their decision.

Mickey Loomis could also just throw all caution to the wind and go with a full best player approach and take Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty above both of them.

Either way, New Orleans just desperately needs to add talent to their roster this offseason.

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Mel Kiper’s first mock gives Lions much-needed pass rush help

Mel Kiper’s first 2025 NFL mock draft gives Lions much-needed pass rush help

The original draft analyst is back in action with his first mock draft of the season. The great Mel Kiper of ESPN is on the board after his first set of first-round projections dropped Wednesday. He gives the Lions much-needed pass-rush help with the 28th pick of the first round.

With the 28th pick, the Lions select James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee.

“Even with Aidan Hutchinson (leg) back in the picture next season, Detroit can’t let this Super Bowl window slip away because the pass rush doesn’t have enough juice,” wrote Kiper. “The Lions’ 37 sacks tied for 23rd in the NFL this season. They were also 25th in pass rush win rate at 35.4%. Injuries wore down the defense, but there weren’t enough playmakers there to begin with, even after the midseason trade for Za’Darius Smith.

“Pearce still needs to build out his 6-foot-5 frame, but his speed could make a difference in Detroit. He mixes up pass-rush moves and gets home to the QB, with 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons.”

Hutchinson, in only five games, recorded 7.5 sacks last season. He was the only Lion to have at least five sacks. Za’Darius Smith had four sacks in eight games, but his presence wasn’t always there. The Lions need more help getting to the quarterback, especially in a division with Jordan Love, whoever the Vikings run at quarterback with Kevin O’Connell as head coach and Caleb Williams, who now has Ben Johnson as his head coach.

Pearce and his 19 career college sacks, including 17.5 over the last two seasons, would be a welcomed addition to the Lions’ defense and whoever will be calling the shots on defense in 2025, with Aaron Glenn likely headed to the Jets.

Lions add help for Aidan Hutchinson in Draft Wire’s latest mock

Lions add help for Aidan Hutchinson in Draft Wire’s latest mock, which also adds a CB in the 2nd round

Mock drafts are in full swing now that that the Ohio State Buckeyes have claimed the National Championship. Unfortunately for Lions fans, mock drafts will be more of a focus after their Divisional Round loss to the Washington Commanders ended their season perhaps prematurely.

2025 is a chance to rebound from that loss, starting with building back up during the offseason, including finding a potential key early contributor with the 28th pick. One area the Lions certainly could use help with is at edge-rusher. After losing Aidan Hutchinson, the depth of the position was really tested and the signing of Za’Darius Smith proved not very fruitful.

The latest mock draft by Curt Popejoy over at Draft Wire looks to fix that as the Lions get some help opposite Hutchinson. With the 28th pick, the Lions select James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee.

Pearce may not have been the dominant force he was in 2023 and near the top of the draft board as he tended to be at the beginning of this draft cycle, but he still has a motor that can complement Hutchinson well. Pearce still recorded 7.5 sacks in 2024 following a 9.5-sack season in 2023.

Despite only playing five games, Hutchinson led the Lions with 7.5 sacks. Smith was actually second with four sacks in eight games. The Lions had 37 sacks as a team in 2024, tied for 25th in the league. They did not get a single sack on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels in the Divisional, further signaling the need for pass rush.

In the second round, at pick 60, the Lions go with Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter. The Cyclones’ defensive back had his first three career interceptions last season to go along with a pair of passes defended. He had a pair of interceptions in their rivalry game against Iowa.

Pass rusher named perfect prospect for Cardinals in 2025 draft

PFF paired a “perfect prospect” for each NFL team. Check out who is matched with the Cardinals.

The 2025 NFL draft is still more than three months away. That doesn’t stop some from matching players with teams. Pro Football Focus matched teams with a player deemed as their “perfect prospect.” For the Arizona Cardinals, that is a pass rusher who perhaps will be available when they make their selection with the 16th pick in the first round.

For the Cardinals, their perfect prospect is Tennessee edge defender James Pearce Jr.

Quick, how many Arizona Cardinals defensive starters can you name other than Budda Baker? The Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis deserves an award for the production he was able to get out of the players on their roster in 2024, but he needs more weapons to work with in 2025. The Arizona Cardinals defense generated a pressure on just 201 plays in 2024 which ranked them No. 26 in the NFL. Even if 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson pans out as an effective player, the Cardinals will still need more talent on their front seven and especially someone who can bring some consistent pass-rushing ability to the edge of their defense.

Pearce has had over 50 pressures in his last two seasons of play against SEC offensive lines. Pearce has a burst around the edge and his 22.7% pass-rush win rate shows he has the ability to beat the man across from him that the Cardinals desperately need for their defense so they don’t have to heavily rely on scheme to get pressure.

Pearce is one of the 55 underclassmen who have declared for and entered the draft.

In 2024, he had 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss for the Volunteers after having 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2023.

He is expected to test well athletically.

The Cardinals do not have a legitimate proven threat off the edge on their team. The hope was that BJ Ojulari could be that, but he is coming off a torn ACL.

Landing a big-time pass rusher could be what the Cardinals need. They were right in the middle of the league defensively last season and that was with no consistent presence off the edge.

There is no question about his fit in terms of on the field and filling a drastic need. But if he tests as well at the combine as many believe he will, the biggest question will be whether or not he will even be on the board by the 16th pick.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Bengals get help for Trey Hendrickson in ESPN mock draft

The Bengals go with a huge name in a new mock draft.

Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks this season, taking the sack crown for the 2024 campaign. And he did so without much help elsewhere. Joseph Ossai finished second with five sacks, followed by defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Kris Jenkins with three each.

Finding someone to complement Hendrickson is a must this offseason with Sam Hubbard (two sacks in 2024) a potential cut candidate this offseason. That complement could come via the draft and that’s just what ESPN’s Jordan Reid did in his first mock since the regular season ended.

At No. 17, the Bengals go with James Pearce, edge, Tennessee. Pearce may not be near the top of the draft as some had projected him before the season, but he can still be a menace in getting after the quarterback. Pearce finished with 7.5 sacks this season and 19 for his three-year career with the Vols, including 17 in the last two seasons.

“The Bengals registered a sack on only 5.5% of dropbacks by opposing QBs this season (the sixth-worst rate in the NFL) despite the presence of NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson,” wrote Reid. “The 6-5, 243-pound Pearce is a lean, ultra-quick pass rusher who can race around blockers with ease. His 18.7% pressure rate ranked second in the FBS, resulting in 7.5 sacks. He could be the complementary pass rusher Cincinnati desperately needs.”

Cincinnati’s 36 sacks this season were tied for 7th-lowest in the league with the Indianapolis Colts. Hendrickson boosted that number, posting almost half of the team’s sacks. The silver lining is just five more sacks would have put them in the top half of the league. Grabbing a fast and athletic pass-rusher like Pearce would help boost the Bengals back among the better teams at getting to the quarterback, especially in a division where they see Lamar Jackson twice a year and going into a season where the Bengals see quarterbacks such as Jared Goff, Kyler Murray, Josh Allen and Jordan Love, to name a few.

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Oregon Ducks Playoff Preview: Diving into Tennessee Volunteers’ defense

Tennessee’s defense gets overlooked with their great offense, but it’s one of the best in the SEC.

The Oregon Ducks were crowned Big Ten Conference Champions on Saturday night and were awarded the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff on Sunday morning. With the top seed, Oregon will receive a first-round bye in the playoff, watching from home as both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers fight for a chance to meet the Ducks in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. 

While the Ducks have already played Ohio State this year, it’s been over a decade since they saw the Volunteers on the field. At this point in the year, the Buckeyes also have a different roster and outlook than they did in their Week 7 trip to Eugene. 

While Oregon enjoys the next three weeks off, we felt it would be a good time to examine the potential opponents and learn what the Ducks could face. We continue with the Tennessee defense.

Defensive Line

Bryson Eason: 24 tackles, 7 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 5 QB hurries
Omari Thomas: 21 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack, 3 QB hurries
James Pearce, Jr.: 35 tackles, 11 for loss, 7.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries (1st team)
Dominic Bailey: 24 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 4 QB hurries

With Tennessee’s offense being so prolific, the defense gets a bit overlooked, but it’s one of the top defenses in the country, led by SEC first-teamer and defensive lineman James Pearce, Jr. At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Pearce could be a first-round NFL draft pick if he decides to leave the Vols early. He’s one of those edge rushers that an offensive line has to keep tabs on the entire time.

Eason and Thomas are a combined 635 pounds in the middle of that line and Bailey is a robust 292 pounds himself. When you imagine an SEC defensive line, Tennessee fits the bill and is a handful for any opponent.

The Vols are able to get pressure on the quarterback without blitzing, which makes it tough to move the ball on this defense with every level able to stay home.

Linebackers

Arion Carter: 65 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3 QB hurries, 5 pass breakups, 1 INT
Jeremiah Telander: 33 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles

Tennessee plays a 4-2-5 defense most of the time and the two linebackers are big and athletic that can come up to stop the run and go back into pass coverage with equal ability and success.

Carter leads the Vols with those 65 tackles. As his stats show, he’s able to pull double duty in stopping the run and the pass. He’s also just a sophomore and has one more year to terrorize SEC offenses.

Telander is another sophomore who has made the most out his opportunity as a starter this season. He was a four-star recruit out of Georgia and Telander has looked every bit the part this season.

Secondary

Rickey Gibson III: 29 tackles, 2 for loss, 5 pass breakups
Andre Turrentine: 35 tackles, 1.5 for loss, 3 pass breakups
Jermod McCoy: 39 tackles, 4 INT, 9 pass breakups (2nd team)
Boo Carter: 35 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 QB hurries
Will Brooks: 54 tackles, 3 INT, 5 pass breakups

McCoy is yet another sophomore on this defense that leads the team with four picks, including one against Alabama. He was selected to the All-SEC Second Team with his interceptions and nine pass breakups. McCoy also doubles as a kick returner.

Brooks is the heart of the secondary as a fifth-year senior. He started out at Tennessee as a walk-on in his freshman season and has worked himself up the ranks to become one of the top safeties in the SEC.

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Broncos select pass rusher in new 2025 NFL mock draft

Draft Wire’s recent 2025 NFL mock draft has the Broncos selecting pass rusher James Pearce.

The Denver Broncos sit at 5-5 through the first 10 weeks of the 2024 NFL season, and they’re in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt. As a result, in Draft Wire’s newest mock draft, the Broncos are projected to pick 19th overall.

According to author Curt Popejoy, the Broncos are going to bolster their top-5 defense with another pass-rusher in the form of Tennessee EDGE James Pearce.

Pearce (6-5, 243 pounds) is a massive body Denver could use to stop the likes of AFC heavyweights Derrick Henry in the rush game and be a formidable foe for quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson off the edge.

In 2023, as a sophomore, Pearce led the SEC with 10 sacks. In 2024, Pearce found himself on several preseason collegiate watch lists, and is a semi-finalist for several individual awards.

Pearce would be a huge addition to an already-stout Broncos defense that is in the top three in quarterback pressures, blitz rates, sacks and yards-per-dropback in 2024. The unit has proved to be one of the best in the NFL, but Denver could look to add more depth and competition next spring.

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3 key Oklahoma Sooners vs. the Tennessee Volunteers

The Oklahoma Sooners and Tennessee Volunteers are set for a big-time matchup on Saturday night and these three players will be key to victory.

The stage is set Saturday for a terrific ball game between the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners.

The storylines are plentiful, with Josh Heupel’s return to Norman leading the way.

Oklahoma and Tennessee are in a spot where this game is the first serious test for either team this year. It also begins the conference slate for both squads.

Media and betting pundits have the Sooners as the underdog, with Tennessee the overwhelming favorite to win the game. With that in mind, which players will be the difference makers for Oklahoma and help them pull off the first major home upset for the Sooners since 2008 versus Texas Tech?

Danny Stutsman, LB

Picking [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] as a player to watch feels shallow, but there’s a specific reason. He is the team’s leader, and this is the season’s biggest game.

Tennessee’s running game is potent. They are currently the nation’s No. 3 rushing attack. Stutsman is at the center of the nation’s No. 22 run defense, and as a linebacker, he will be tasked with flowing to the ball and making tackles.

Da’Jon Terry, Damonic Williams, and Jayden Jackson will all play pivotal roles as well, but a team captain and the vocal leader of this defense needs to show up in a big way in what is a monumental game.

Nic Anderson, WR

Saturday is expected to be [autotag]Nic Anderson[/autotag]’s first game of the season. He fought injuries all offseason and is finally ready to contribute to an Oklahoma offense deprived of consistent playmakers.

He immediately slots back in as a starter, and play-caller Seth Littrell will open things up with a proven threat like Nic Anderson for Jackson Arnold to depend upon. How he responds to his first bit of game action will be vital, but if Anderson can provide one or two big plays, they could go a long way in helping the Sooners pull off an upset.

Jacob Sexton, LT

Jacob Sexton may have the single most challenging matchup on Saturday as he will likely be the tackle opposite of projected first-round pick James Pearce for most of the evening on Saturday.

It will not be easy, but Sexton will have to give Jackson Arnold a chance on Saturday. Tennessee boasts a ferocious and deep defensive line, so Sexton will face challenges regardless of who lines up across from him on Saturday night.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on X @thatmanbryant.

SEC Network features Oklahoma in X-Men intro to 2024 season

The SEC Network released an X-Men styled animated intro to the 2024 season and an Oklahoma Sooners star was prominently featured.

The SEC is embarking on a new adventure in 2024, welcoming the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns to the conference. With the season kicking off, Oklahoma and Texas were featured in a video released by the SEC Network’s social media account on X formerly known as Twitter.

In a play on the 1990s animated “X-Men The Animated Series”, the SEC featured a number of teams, including the Red River Rivals.

[autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] and Quinn Ewers can be seen flying the X-Wing, the jet that had stealth properties into SEC country. The video featured a number of players as X-Men.

  • Jalen Milroe, Alabama, as Cyclops.
  • Carson Beck, Georgia, as Storm.
  • Harold Perkins, LSU, as Wolverine.
  • Quinn Ewers, Texas, as Jubilee.
  • Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, as Gambit.
  • Luther Burden, Missouri, as Nightcrawler.
  • James Pearce, Tennessee, as Magneto.
  • Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma, as The Beast.

https://twitter.com/SECNetwork/status/1829584490143809902

Danny Stutsman as The Beast is fitting, considering he matches a physical play style with an intelligence garnered from years of experience. The preseason All-SEC and All-American selection will lead the Oklahoma Sooners defense into the SEC as they hope to make a run at a conference title in year one in the league.

The Sooners open year one in the SEC Friday night at 6 p.m. CT against the Temple Owls. Their first SEC game comes in Norman on September 21.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.