2025 NFL Draft scouting record: James Pearce Jr., edge, Tennessee

Nate Tice: The definition of a velocity rusher, James Pearce Jr. has superb burst and get-off and will get his approach round offensive tackles within the blink of an eye fixed.He can warmth up the quarterback with velocity across the edge or use his excellent duration to bullrush tackles into the quarterback.Pearce isn’t as dynamic as a run defender, perfect knifing within versus taking up blockers, as he’s as a go rusher as a result of his reasonable energy. However he has excellent duration and a body that he can stay including bulk to, which provides optimism he will toughen within the space or even has great performs of shedding into protection, despite the fact that his recreation will all the time be basically constructed round getting after the passer.Pearce’s body and speed-only sort taste offers me some apprehension about how he’s going to have an effect on the sport if he doesn’t win straight away, as he’s now not essentially the most explosive or most powerful participant. This sort of go rusher profile carries chance.Charles McDonald: James Pearce Jr. got here into the season as a possible top-five NFL Draft pick out, however didn’t moderately have the season essential to make that occur.Nonetheless, the 4.47 he ran on the scouting mix was once a excellent signal for him, despite the fact that he isn’t all the time a bodily danger towards the run.He is a vintage weakside edge rusher that groups will attempt to cover towards the run.