James Pearce Jr.
Atlanta FalconsUNDERPAIDOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Tennessee · SEC
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | INT | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 2 | 2.0 | 1 | 0 | 314 | |
| 2023 | 27 | 14 | 9.5 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 34 |
| 2024 | 38 | 13 | 7.5 | 10 | 1 | 13 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Tennessee · 2025 draft class
Pearce is an explosive edge rusher with exceptional get-off and bend around the corner. His first-step quickness allows him to consistently pressure offensive tackles before they can set, and his ankle flexibility to flatten to the quarterback is elite. Pearce converts speed to power effectively despite his leaner frame, showing the ability to drive tackles back with bull rushes when they overset for his speed. His hand usage continues to develop, with improving technique to disengage from blocks.
Strengths
- Elite first-step explosion
- exceptional bend and flexibility
- speed-to-power conversion
- closing burst to the quarterback
- developing hand technique
- pass rush instincts
- pursuit effort
Concerns
- Still adding functional strength particularly against the run
- needs to improve anchoring against double teams
- developing a more diverse pass rush arsenal