Who is James Pearce Jr.? Tennessee Edge May Be Available to Bengals at No. 17 in NFL Draft

As the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer, few edge rushers have generated as much intrigue as Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. Once considered a potential top-10 pick, Pearce now finds himself in a fascinating draft position — one that could land him with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 17 overall. For a team in need of a disruptive force off the edge, the former Volunteer might be too tempting to pass up.

But who is James Pearce Jr., and why is he such a tantalizing figure in this year’s draft class?

A Star is Born in Knoxville

James Pearce Jr. arrived at the University of Tennessee as a highly-touted four-star recruit out of Charlotte, North Carolina. With a lean 6-foot-5 frame and explosive athleticism, Pearce immediately drew comparisons to former SEC pass-rushing greats. It didn’t take long for him to show flashes of that potential.

By his sophomore season, Pearce had fully arrived. He finished the year with 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss, establishing himself as one of the premier defensive playmakers in the SEC. His performance earned him First-Team All-SEC honors and put him firmly on the radar of NFL scouts. In 2024, he followed that campaign with another strong season, recording 7 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles, all while commanding double teams on a regular basis.

Despite Tennessee’s defensive inconsistencies, Pearce was a constant — a high-motor, high-upside edge defender capable of taking over games.

The Scouting Breakdown

Pearce’s draft stock is built on a blend of freakish athleticism and developing technique. At the NFL Combine, he posted a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, an elite number for someone weighing 242 pounds. His vertical leap (38.5 inches) and broad jump (10’6”) confirmed what scouts saw on tape — explosion, quick-twitch ability, and rare bend around the edge.

Strengths:

• Elite First Step: Pearce consistently wins with his get-off. Offensive tackles frequently find themselves playing catch-up from the snap.
• Flexibility and Bend: He can dip his shoulder, stay low to the ground, and flatten to the quarterback without losing speed — a trait that separates good pass rushers from great ones.
• Length and Range: With long arms and natural leverage, Pearce disrupts passing lanes and makes plays even when he doesn’t get the sack.
• Motor: Coaches rave about his consistent energy and willingness to chase plays downfield.

Weaknesses:

• Play Strength: At times, Pearce can be overwhelmed by physical offensive linemen in the run game. He’ll need to add muscle to anchor better against double teams.
• Counter Moves: While his speed rush is deadly, Pearce has yet to fully develop a secondary move if his initial burst is stymied. That limits his effectiveness when teams adjust.
• Discipline: Pearce occasionally over-pursues and struggles with contain responsibilities — a common issue for young, athletic edge defenders.

Character and Background Questions?

There have been whispers about Pearce’s maturity and consistency in practice, though nothing concrete has emerged that would definitively hurt his draft status. Coaches at Tennessee have described him as a “fiery competitor,” though some scouts have privately raised questions about his focus in film sessions and whether he’ll respond to pro-level coaching.

Still, these concerns appear minor when weighed against his physical tools and on-field production. Most teams doing their homework believe Pearce’s ceiling is too high to ignore.

Bengals’ Needs Align Perfectly

Cincinnati has been one of the NFL’s more stable franchises over the past few seasons, but cracks have begun to show — particularly on the defensive line. While Trey Hendrickson remains an elite pass rusher, he’s entering the final year of his contract. Sam Hubbard is a solid player but more suited to run-stopping duties.

The Bengals have flirted with young edge talent in recent drafts but haven’t hit on a game-changer. Pearce, with his upside, could be exactly that.

Pairing him with Hendrickson would allow the Bengals to gradually integrate Pearce into the rotation, shielding him from early down run responsibilities while he adds weight and learns to process NFL offenses. By year two, he could be ready to take over as a full-time starter — just as Hendrickson potentially moves on.

Draft Range and Projections

There’s little debate that Pearce is a first-round talent, but opinions vary on how early he’ll be taken. Some mocks have him going as high as No. 12 to the Broncos or No. 14 to the Saints. But a few analysts believe he could slip to the middle of the round due to concerns about his rawness and overall polish.

The Bengals, sitting at No. 17, are in the sweet spot. If top offensive tackles and cornerbacks fly off the board early — as expected — Cincinnati may find themselves staring at the best pure edge rusher remaining.

That’s a tough scenario to ignore, especially when the team’s pass rush ranked in the bottom half of the league in pressures last season. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system is built on creating pressure with four, allowing the secondary to sit back in zone coverages. For that system to work at its highest level, a player like Pearce would be invaluable.

NFL Comp: Brian Burns (Panthers/Giants)

Pearce draws natural comparisons to Brian Burns, who entered the league as a similarly long, twitchy edge rusher out of Florida State. Burns didn’t become a complete player overnight, but his development into a Pro Bowl-level talent is exactly the blueprint teams hope Pearce follows. Like Burns, Pearce can win with speed early in his career while developing strength and nuance over time.

If Cincinnati lands Pearce, they’ll hope he can mirror Burns’ trajectory: rotational weapon in Year 1, breakout sack artist by Year 2.

Risk vs. Reward

Pearce isn’t a surefire plug-and-play star. He needs to improve his anchor against the run and develop a wider array of pass-rushing moves. But the risk is relative when the reward could be a Pro Bowl-level pass rusher under team control for five years.

He’s not a polished product like Alabama’s Dallas Turner, who may go top-5, but Pearce offers similar upside — and at a significantly more affordable draft slot.

For teams drafting in the back half of the first round, hitting on upside picks is what separates playoff contenders from title threats. The Bengals have done well to construct a competitive roster, but if they want to get over the hump in a stacked AFC, they’ll need to affect opposing quarterbacks at a higher level.

James Pearce Jr. might be the answer.

He’s not without flaws, but his ceiling is sky-high. For a franchise that has made steady strides but needs a burst of defensive star power, Pearce could be the kind of pick that shapes a defense for years to come.

And if he’s still on the board at No. 17? Cincinnati would be wise to sprint the card to the podium.