By Blessing 
Tennessee EDGE James Pearce Jr.
Why He Fits in Detroit:
The Detroit Lions head into the season with a solid trio of edge rushers: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, and Josh Paschal. But there are still question marks. Davenport, while talented, has struggled to stay on the field consistently, and Paschal leans more toward being a sturdy, power-setting edge rather than a dynamic pass-rusher—he’s only notched five career sacks so far.
That’s where James Pearce Jr. could shake things up. The former Tennessee standout brings immediate explosiveness off the edge—something the Lions currently lack in their pass-rushing rotation. Pearce’s elite get-off and quick-twitch speed offer a different style compared to the power-driven approach of Davenport and Paschal. His presence could add much-needed versatility and unpredictability to Detroit’s defensive front.
What Makes Him Stand Out:
Pearce turned heads last season with a 19% pressure rate—second-best in the FBS. Over the last two years against SEC competition, he’s stacked up 17.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. That level of production, especially in a conference as competitive as the SEC, speaks volumes about his potential.
What the Experts Say:
“Pearce is a tight-hipped, linear pass rusher with explosive take-offs and good speed-to-power but a lack of bend to flatten at the top,” noted NFL analyst Lance Zierlein. “His high-pressure rate is partially derived from an instinctive feel for positioning, allowing him to work around protection for quick wins into the pocket.”
Zierlein also pointed out Pearce’s frame: “He’s very long but narrow through his hips, so the build-out of his frame might be limited. Pearce knows how to play around blocks and has the speed to close and tackle, but his base is naturally narrow and lacks bend. He’ll need to improve his strength and technique as an NFL run defender. Despite those concerns, Pearce’s length, twitch and rush production create a higher ceiling.”
Draft Stock and Rankings:
Pearce has been climbing up draft boards. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler places him at No. 21 on his latest Top 100 list, highlighting Pearce’s ability to turn speed into power and his knack for driving blockers back from a low rush angle. Brugler does note some concerns about Pearce’s run defense but praises his relentless effort on the field.
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network ranks Pearce at No. 22 in his Top 50, while NFL.com’s Eric Edholm slots him at No. 25, stating, “He’s not a complete player yet, but turn on the Alabama tape from last October and you can easily see just how disruptive Pearce can be as a pass rusher.”
Not all analysts are equally high—ESPN’s Jordan Reid has him at No. 35—but Field Yates, also from ESPN, ranks him highest at No. 19 overall.
What Pearce Has to Say:
“Just keep showing that I’m the best edge and best defender in this draft and keep putting it out there that I’m one of the best players in the draft, if not the best,” Pearce said during Tennessee’s Pro Day when asked what message he wants to send to teams during pre-draft interviews.