Former Tennessee Vols DE James Pearce, Jr. ends up in an unusual place in national outlet's most recent mock draft

The days ahead of the draft are, mercifully, coming to an end, and soon we'll very soon where some of the top players from the college ranks will end up playing on Sundays.  

Former Tennessee Vols defensive end James Pearce, Jr. is one with a particular level of curiosity and uncertainty.  The VFL was once considered by some as the potential first round pick in the drat before the 2024 season. Despite leading all edge rushers in pressure rate (21.7%) in FBS last year, his stock his somehow fallen - at least among the draft pundits and "experts".  He's also the only player in the draft with a pressure rate above 20% in each of the last two seasons. 

It's not entirely clear why, as Pearce managed to mostly stay out of trouble during his time in Knoxville, aside from an arrest in December 2023 in connection with a traffic stop (the charges were dropped later than month), and his effort never really appeared to be in question during games.  

Still, he's slid in the vast majority of mock drafts either to the end of the first round or out altogether.  And, in Pro Football Network's mock draft put out on Sunday, Pearce hits a place that he hasn't yet among pundits - the very end of the second round. 

Pro Football Network mocked Pearce to the last pick of the second round (#64) to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

The Eagles are a team that makes a lot of sense for a player like Pearce.  With his pass rushing acumen, he projects in immediately as a rotational/situational pass rusher on a defense loaded with talent from front to back.  With elite talent all over, it would be hard for any offense to focus on neutralizing Pearce. 

However, that's a pick that seems likely to be made at 32 instead of 64.  It's very hard to see the entire league passing on the talented former Vol twice before he falls in the Eagles' laps like that.  Pass rushers are still at a premium, and teams will look to take on that level of athleticism, production, and still-untapped potential that Pearce brings to the table. 

We'll find out soon enough where Pearce, ends up getting selection next week, as the NFL Draft gets underway on Thursday, April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.