The Detroit Lions could end up with a steal in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to a new mock draft from Athlon Sports. With many expecting the team to target an edge rusher, analyst Luke Easterling has them landing Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. with the 28th pick.
Pearce has an impressive résumé—two-time All-SEC First Team, 10 sacks as a sophomore, 7.5 as a junior, and a standout performance at the NFL Combine. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash among edge rushers and finished seventh in the broad jump. Plus, he’s only 21, making him one of the younger prospects in the draft.
So why might he fall? Rumors about his character have popped up, but if the Lions do their homework and feel comfortable, he could be a perfect fit—especially if they don’t address the position in free agency.
