James Pearce Jr.: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has faced high expectations since arriving with the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. But through the middle of August, Pearce has met and even exceeded those expectations.

College Football News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / August 13, 2025

James Pearce Jr.'s 'Race to the Quarterback' Fuels Competition with Jalon Walker

Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. has been making noise all throughout training camp. After being a menace against his own teammates for much of training camp, Pearce has relished the opportunity to go against the Tennessee Titans this week in joint practices. “Oh, smooth.

College Football News / 5 GOATs / August 4, 2025

James Pearce Jr. involved in training camp scuffle again

For at least the second time in Atlanta Falcons training camp, former Tennessee defender James Pearce Jr. has been involved in a scuffle. He first got into a dust-up on July 27, before a repeat performance today.

College Football News / SportsTalkATL / July 31, 2025

Early returns from Falcons’ investment in James Pearce Jr. are encouraging

When the Falcons traded a 2026 first-round pick to jump back into the first round and draft James Pearce Jr., the entire NFL world criticized Terry Fontenot and Atlanta’s braintrust.

College Football News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / July 18, 2025

Falcons' James Pearce Jr. Receives 'Ringing Endorsement' From Former Teammate

The Atlanta Falcons were heavily criticized for trading back up into the first round to select Tennessee Volunteers edge rusher James Pearce Jr. Most NFL pundits argued the pick was awful value, and the Falcons now won't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

College Football News / Yardbarker

25 most intriguing storylines to follow for the 2026 college football season

College football has historically been known as a sport that caters to the elite. It is very difficult to win a national championship if you aren't Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, or a host of other schools that have great programs that invest heavily in keeping them at the top.

College Football News / Atlanta Falcons on SI / June 14, 2025

National Pundits Continue Placing Pressure on Rookie James Pearce Jr.

Context can be everything. Just ask Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. If any other NFL team had selected Pearce at No. 26 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft or if he had been picked anywhere else in the final third of the first round, Pearce is probably entering a rather normal rookie campaign for a first-round edge rusher.

NFL News / Yardbarker / May 1, 2025

Three burning questions for 2025 Falcons

With the dust settled following free agency and the draft, we have a clearer idea of where the Falcons stand heading into 2025. However, questions remain. Here are the three most pressing.

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NFL News / The 33rd Team / April 25, 2025

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.

NFL News / Yardbarker / April 25, 2025

Five worst picks from first round of the 2025 NFL Draft

Five worst picks from first round of the NFL Draft: Giants, Falcons pay steep prices

The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books, and for one night all 32 teams are happy with their decisions. Many of them will continue to be happy when they get on the field. But not everybody got it right. Let's take a look at five teams that may have gotten it wrong.

Giants trade up, add to QB room

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

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Seahawks strengthen their offensive line with first-round selection

Broncos bolster secondary by selecting Jahdae Barron at No. 20

College Football News / Tennessee Volunteers on SI / April 23, 2025

Where Will James Pearce Jr. Be Drafted - Latest Intel On The Vols' Stock Entering Draft

The Tennessee Volunteers have several former Vols expecting to hear their names called over the weekend in the 2025 NFL Draft, perhaps the most noteworthy, EDGE James Pearce Jr.

College Football News / 49ers Webzone / April 16, 2025

49ers hosting Ohio State OT Josh Simmons and Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr. on pre-draft visits

The San Francisco 49ers are hosting one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft today. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons is in Santa Clara visiting with the team.

College Football News / Yardbarker

Ranking all the new FBS head coaches for the 2026 season

Coaching changes happen every year, but they don't all happen the same way. We have had some wild offseason coaching moves in recent seasons, and 2025-2026 wasn't any different.

College Football News / The 33rd Team / April 16, 2025

Buying or Selling Expected Risers and Fallers in 2025 NFL Mock Drafts

The NFL Draft feels like a fluid stock market watch at times. as the ebbs and flows are always moving. However, the reality is that only so much new information comes out for NFL front offices between the end of the regular season and late April.

NFL News / Total Apex Sports / April 12, 2025

Detroit Lions 2025 NFL Draft Preview

The Detroit Lions had one of the best seasons in franchise history in 2024. Unfortunately, they fell flat in the playoffs. Part of it was that they ran into one of the hottest teams in the league, the Washington Commanders, but the injuries on the defensive side of the ball became too much to overcome.

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NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Falcons' first-round pick at No. 15

The Atlanta Falcons have the 15th pick for the first time since 1972 when they took Notre Dame safety Clarence Ellis. This year, they’ve been linked to these defensive prospects mock drafts.

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College Football News / Tennessee Volunteers on SI / March 3, 2025

Baltimore Ravens Select Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. In Latest NFL Mock Draft

The NFL Scouting Combine has come to a close in Indy, and with it comes a fresh batch of Mock Drafts. In the latest editions, Tennessee's James Pearce Jr.

College Football News / 49ers Webzone / February 26, 2025

49ers met with Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr. at NFL Scouting Combine

Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr. confirmed meeting with the San Francisco 49ers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. When Sports Illustrated's

NFL News / Yardbarker / February 26, 2025

Thursday combine watch: Could Alabama LB test better than some WRs?

On-field workouts start Thursday (3 p.m. ET), when defensive linemen and linebackers run through drills, including the 40-yard dash.

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NFL News / Yardbarker / February 20, 2025

NFC combine watch: One player each team should have on its radar

With the Super Bowl far in the rearview, all NFL teams are turning their attention to the NFL Scouting Combine (Feb. 27-March 2), free agency (March 12) and NFL Draft (April 24-26). Ahead of the combine in Indianapolis, Yardbarker NFL writers select one player each team in the NFC should have on its radar.

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NFL News / Yardbarker / January 29, 2025

Five takeaways from NFL.com's first mock draft

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, who is one of the top NFL Draft analysts out there, recently put out his first 2025 NFL mock draft.

Mock draft has Broncos bolstering passing attack with national champion

Bills take 'pro-ready prospect' in latest mock draft

Patriots take 'safe, steady' approach in latest mock draft

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College Football News / Field Level Media / January 16, 2025

Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr. declares for NFL draft

Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Pearce, who made the announcement on social media Wednesday, will forgo his senior season.

NFL News / Yardbarker / January 16, 2025

NFL Draft intel: Should AFC team take Penn State's Abdul Carter instead of a QB?

Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Green Bay. From a Penn State pass-rusher to a Syracuse running back, here are five players we are tracking:

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