The Green Bay Packers are getting a closer look at one of the more fascinating edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
According to Packer Report’s Zack Jacobson, Green Bay is hosting University of Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce on a top-30 visit, ahead of next month’s draft.
What James Pearce Could Add to the Green Bay Packers’ Defense
Green Bay Packers, NFL Draft, James Pearce
Feb 27, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce (DL59) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Pearce, 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds is an electrifying athlete who posted 19 sacks across three seasons in Knoxville as a focal point of the Volunteers’ front-seven.
During the NFL Combine, Pearce ran the 40-yard dash in an electrifying 4.47 seconds, underscoring his athleticism and offering a glimpse of his potential explosiveness at the next level.
“Pearce is a tight-hipped, linear pass rusher,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein writes of Pearce. “With explosive take-offs and good speed-to-power but a lack of bend to flatten at the top. His high pressure rate is partially derived from an instinctive feel for positioning, allowing him to work around protection for quick wins into the pocket.”
One of the Packers’ biggest needs in the upcoming draft class is to bolster the pass rush, as general manager Brian Gutekunst as repeatedly said throughout this offseason that Green Bay’s goal is to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks with the front four.
Selecting Pearce at No. 23 overall, or trading up to add him to coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense, could be a big step in that direction.
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley interacts with fans at Lambeau Field
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley talks with fans before their game against the Houston Texans Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.