Every year people fixate on the teams “historical” or “generational” in the NFL Draft space. For many, the next prospect is always the best prospect. As a grounded collective, we roll our eyes and suffer in the world of hyperbole.
For some prospects, however, the question of “best since” has a lot of validity, and value in many cases. In the 2025 NFL Draft , Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce Jr. is widely regarded as potentially the top overall prospect in the cycle. For those who frequent mock drafts this time of year, Pearce’s name has been seen at the top spot more than once.
So here’s the leading questions: Just how good is Pearce really? Is he considered potentially at the top of an underwhelming class? Is he worth all the hype?
The easy answer to that last question is simple: Yes. When you dive deeper into Pearce’s film, he’s a special talent coming off of the edge. He could be the best at his position we have seen in several years.
What Pearce brings to the table
Despite being slightly undersized at an overstated 6-5 and 242 pounds, Pearce was outstanding in 2023, making his mark on the SEC. During that campaign, he finished with 28 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, ten sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception returned for a touchdown.
A word that comes up a lot when you talk about Pearce is “rare”. For a long pass rusher, one thing you wouldn’t expect is a great change of direction. That’s something that makes Pearce special. His ability to redirect, and range in pursuit is quite unique.
That change of direction is littered all over his film. For a player listed at 6-5 and 240 plus pounds, his ability to plant and redirect isn’t normal. On this bootleg, you not only see Pearce redirect, but he also explodes out of his cut. That closing speed to change down the quarterback adds to his freakishness.
The best pass rushers in the NFL need the ability to win outside track. With Pearce’s combination of first step explosiveness and bend, he is a tough player to handle for opposing offensive tackles. That allows Pearce to work inside counters against oversetting offensive lineman. Once you give him a weak inside shoulder, it’s over.
Of course Pearce’s calling card is going to be being able to win that outside shoulder. He is a twitched up pass rusher with the length to consistently play outside of his frame. Don’t blink, Pearce just ran by another offensive tackle.
The biggest criticism around Pearce is going to be his run defense, making his biggest impact as a pass rusher as a sophomore and only started a grand total of two games. The key to projecting upside in that department is isolating traits. He has outstanding length, as well as very underrated play strength for his weight. Pearce also is extremely quick working from gap to gap.
Really the only thing stopping Pearce from being a plus run defender is his weight. In the scouting world, we evaluate the “teachables” versus the “unteachables”. Adding weight is the former. That could very well take a massive step forward this season.
Related: Michigan, Ohio State, and true sleepers headline a potentially historic 2025 NFL Draft cornerback class
The best since?
Pearce is the top edge defender in the 2025 NFL Draft for me, and has a chance to earn a blue chip grade when all is said and done. When you compare him to past few classes, it’s my belief that Pearce is the best defensive end prospect if you dropped into the last four classes.
Here are those groups.
2024: Laiatu Latu (15), Dallas Turner (17), Jared Verse (19), Chop Robinson (21)
2023: Tyree Wilson (7), Lukas Van Ness (13), Will McDonald (15), Myles Murphy (28), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (31)
2022: Travon Walker (1), Aidan Hutchinson (2), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Jermaine Johnson (26), George Karlaftis (30)
2021: Jaelan Phillips (18), Kwity Paye (21), Payton Turner (28), Gregory Rousseau (30)
When you get to the 2020 NFL Draft, the top edge prospect was Ohio State’s Chase Young. Without hindsight involved, the conversation between Pearce and Young would be very close. It’s a bit of a hot topic, but I might lean the Tennessee star.
Regardless of that last conversation, Nick Bosa (Ohio State) was the top edge prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft. Pearce is not yet at that level, although you could argue his upside is higher. He could be in that conversation after this season but for now, it’s my belief that Pearce can be the best defensive end prospect to come out in the last half-decade.
It could be even more with a jump in 2024.
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