![[object Object] Logo](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/2020/04/22/e9ceb731-8b3f-4c60-98fe-090ab66a2997/screen-shot-2020-04-22-at-11-04-56-am.png)
Next Game
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
0:342025 NFL Draft Grades: Falcons Select James Pearce Jr. No. 26
-
1:39Highlights: Dylan Sampson, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and James Pearce Jr. at Tennessee's Pro Day
-
1:31James Pearce Jr. reflects on the growth and the main influences on his Tennessee career
-
4:57Tennessee DL James Pearce Joins CBS Sports HQ
-
1:30Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. motivated to prove he's the best defensive player in the 2025 NFL Draft
-
0:51Late Kick: DL James Pearce will make a huge impact on defense for Tennessee
-
1:03Falcons Turn to Michael Penix Jr as QB 1
-
1:19NFL Non-playoff Teams That Will Contend This Season: Atlanta Falcons
-
1:52NFC South Offseason Grades: Atlanta Falcons
-
1:49Jonathan Jones Explains the Falcons' $250K Fine for Shedeur Sanders Prank Call
-
1:42How the Shedur Sanders Prank Call Was Different Than the Other Prank Calls During the Draft
-
0:505 Trades That Could Shake Up the NFL: Kirk Cousins to the Saints
-
0:365 Trades That Could Shake Up the NFL: Jalen Ramsey to the Falcons
-
0:53Prisco's Best & Worst NFL Draft Picks: Atlanta Falcons
-
8:082025 NFL Draft Grades: NFC South
-
9:242025 NFL Draft Day 2: Biggest Winners Through Round 3
-
3:25Atlanta Falcons take Jalon Walker in 1st round of NFL Draft | Junkyard Dawgcast
-
9:342025 NFL Draft: NFC Round 1 Winners and Losers
-
0:242025 NFL Draft Grades: Falcons Select Jalon Walker No. 15
Top James Pearce Jr. News
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
Falcons' James Pearce: Target of big trade-up by Atlanta
The Falcons selected Pearce in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 26th overall.
Atlanta made an aggressive play to move back up into the first round and double-tap edge rushers by adding Pearce after selecting Jalon Walker at 15. Pass rush has long been an issue in Atlanta and the front office is prioritizing changing that in this draft. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Falcons sent their second-round pick and next year's first-round pick to the Rams to get this deal done. As for Pearce, the Tennessee product was considered the potential No.1 overall pick in this year's class coming into the season. It didn't quite work out that way as Pearce's sack production dropped from 10.0 in 2023 to 7.5 in 2024. He tested well at the combine with 4.47 speed at 6-foot-5, but he is light for a conventional 3-4 outside linebacker. Jalon Walker has similar strengths and weaknesses, so Atlanta is certainly targeting a particular archetype with these two selections.
... See More ... See Less -
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-5, 242 lbs |
| Birthplace: Charlotte, NC |
| Age: 21 |
| School: Tennessee |
| Experience: R |
