Falcons select James Pearce Jr. with No. 26 pick in 2025 NFL Draft – Atlanta Falcons
2025-04-25T03:06:37Z
With the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected University of Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
Senior Editor & Staff Writer FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — After trading back into the first round, the Atlanta Falcons have selected University of Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the No. 26 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In the trade with the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons gave up pick No. 46 and 242 in this year’s draft as well as their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In addition to the No. 26 pick, the Falcons will also receive pick No. 101 this year. RELATED: Falcons select UGA LB Jalon Walker with No. 15 pick The Falcons continued to juice their pass rush by drafting Pearce. Atlanta signed Leonard Floyd in free agency, but the draft was always the clearest path for It to add a young impact player for the defense. That’s exactly what it hopes Pearce will be. This draft had a number of talented edge rushers, providing teams with options to match their preference. Let’s take a closer look at what the Falcons are getting in Pearce. Height: 6-5 Weight: 245 lbs School: University of Tennessee 2024 Stats: 13 starts | 38 tackles | 7.5 sacks | 13 tackles for loss | 1 forced fumble | 1 fumble recovery | 55 total pressures Honors: 2024 second-team All-SEC | 2023 first-team All-SEC | led SEC in sacks in 2023 How he fits with the Falcons: The Falcons needed to add juice to their pass rush, and Pearce brings a lot of juice. He’s an athletic player who stays clean by ripping, dipping and dancing his way past offensive tackles. Pearce has elite first-step explosiveness and will have opponents on their back foot in the blink of an eye. Don’t expect Pearce to hold up at the point of attack in the run game, but that’s not what he’s here to do. The Falcons need someone to get after the quarterback, and he does that as well as any player in this draft class as evidenced by his 17.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Expert Opinions Dane Brugler, The Athletic: “Although not a technician, Pearce is a fast, linear athlete who can win races to the edge or collapse the pocket with force behind his extended, upward levers (23 percent pass rush win rate in 2024, second best in the FBS). He was steady with his effort against the run in college, but more will be needed of him to hold up against NFL competition. Overall, Pearce is upright and frenetic in his play style, but his blend of explosiveness and power creates consistent disruption as a pass rusher. He shows promise in the run game, too. If he works to maximize his talent, he will be a productive pro.” Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network: “Pearce is a long, lean edge rusher. The Volunteers moved him around in their scheme and he created havoc from a variety of entry points. His first three steps are very explosive when he’s rushing off the edge. … His pressure rate stands out among his peers in this class. Against the run, he plays bigger than his weight would suggest. He sets a firm edge, especially against tight ends. Overall, Pearce has double-digit sack potential and should make an immediate impact in the league.” If you’d like to learn more: We take a look at James Pearce Jr. in action prior to being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft. Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts to making a sack during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) lines up for a play during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher) UTEP quarterback JP Pickles (19) is sacked by Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne) Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Tennessee defensive linemen James Pearce Jr. (27) and Omarr Norman-Lott (55) tackle Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (9) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams) Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods) Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) on the field during an NCAA football game against Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Arkansas won 19-14. (AP Photo/Mike Buscher) In a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta moved up in the third round to take the Notre Dame safety at No. 96 overall. If you’re looking for a rundown of all the draft action, or a place to find the latest Falcons draft coverage, this is a good place to start Atlanta made a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to move up in the third round and grab Watts. The Falcons’ new edge from Georgia is very confident in his pass-rushing abilities. Instead of feeling pressure, the former Tennessee defensive lineman embraces Atlanta’s big move. The NFL announced the 2025 schedule will be revealed May 14. The Falcons now have three former Bulldogs on the roster for 2025. The Falcons traded back up into the first round to select the Tennessee edge rusher at No. 26 overall. Atlanta selected the Georgia defensive weapon with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. A quick look at the players Atlanta could target in the third round as well as the biggest remaining needs for the Falcons on Day 2. Atlanta selected two edge rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. during Friday’s opening round.
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