James Pearce: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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The Atlanta Falcons traded back into the first round of this year's NFL Draft to snag James Pearce Jr. from the Tennessee Volunteers with the 26th overall pick.

Tennessee Volunteers News / Tennessee Volunteers on SI / April 26

NFL Draft Pipeline Continues For Tennessee Vols - Pearce and Norman-Lott Go Early

Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner continues to strengthen his reputation as one of the elite developers of NFL talent in college football. According to Adam Sparks via X, Garner has now coached an incredible 36 NFL Draft picks as a position coach — 34 of them were defensive linemen.

College Football News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / April 26

James Pearce Jr. 'Fueled' to Silence Falcons' Latest Critics

The Atlanta Falcons have received quite a bit of criticism the past few days for trading back into the first round to draft Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr.

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College Football News / A to Z Sports / April 25

Former Alabama player may be partially responsible for Tennessee's James Pearce not getting selected higher in the 2025 NFL Draft

Numerous mock drafts had the Cincinnati Bengals selecting Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bengals, however, passed on Pearce in the first round and instead took Texas A&M Aggies pass rusher Shemar Stewart, a less proven player, at No.

NFL News / A to Z Sports / April 25

Insider reveals the player the Buffalo Bills had their eye on that didn't fall to them at No. 30 in the 2025 NFL Draft

The Buffalo Bills selected Kentucky Wildcats cornerback Max Hairston with the No. 30 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Buffalo seems to be thrilled with the selection of Hairston.

Falcons GM Terry Fontenot Discusses Decision to Trade Up For Vols James Pearce

Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot discusses the decision to trade up for Tennessee EDGE James Pearce. One of the biggest moves of the first round on Thursday was the Atlanta Falcons electing to trade back into the first round to select Tennessee EDGE James Pearce.

College Football News / Tennessee Volunteers on SI / April 25

Tennessee Football Draft Prospects for Day Two of 2025 NFL Draft

Tennessee football prospects for the second round of the 2025 NFL draft. The 2025 NFL draft kicked off on Thursday with the first round and Tennessee Volunteers EDGE James Pearce was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the 26th overall pick.

NFL News / The 33rd Team / April 25

2025 NFL Draft: The Most Surprising Picks From Round 1

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft did not disappoint. These are my thoughts on the most surprising picks from night one. The first surprise of the night was the Cowboys selecting Tyler Booker with the 12th pick.

College Football News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / April 25

Why Falcons Are Comfortable with James Pearce Jr. Despite Off-Field Questions

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons looked at outside linebacker James Pearce Jr.'s numbers and film and knew the former Tennessee standout had the qualities to help their pass rush.

College Football News / A to Z Sports / April 25

Night one of the draft proved that James Pearce's 'character concerns' were nonsense and it cost the former Vol millions of dollars

Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, various media outlets reported that there were "character concerns" surrounding Tennessee Vols edge rusher James Pearce.

College Football News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / April 25

NFL Draft Grades: Falcons Score With Walker, See Mixed Grades With Pearce Trade

Georgia's Jalon Walker and Tennessee's James Pearce were two edge rushers that NFL draft experts connected to the Atlanta Falcons often during the 2025 draft process.

College Football News / Athlon Sports / April 24

Falcons Trade Up To The 26th Pick And Select James Pearce Jr.

Two edge rushers have now been selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round after Jalon Walker went 15th overall. Pearce joins Walker as they look

Atlanta Falcons Trade Back Into The 1st Round, Take James Pearce Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons had a pass rush problem last season. Despite trading for Matthew Judon last offseason, the Falcons ranked near the bottom of the NFL in sacks.

Falcons trade back into the first round, select another pass-rusher

The Falcons are the latest team to trade back into the first round. Atlanta has swapped picks 46 and 202, along with the team’s 2026 first-rounder, sending those to the Rams.

Falcons draft Jalon Walker at No. 15

How James Pearce Fits With Atlanta Falcons

How Tennessee Vols EDGE James Pearce fits with the The first round of the 2025 NFL draft kicked off at 8 PM ET on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Tennessee Volunteers have a handful of prospects that are waiting to hear their name called and the first player just came off the board.