Atlanta Falcons' James Pearce Jr. playing College football for Tennessee
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 02: James Pearce Jr. #27 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates after a sack during the second half of the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium on November 02, 2024 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons have reaped the benefits of double dipping in the first round of April’s NFL Draft. Both rookies selected, Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., are now slotted into starting roles. But it is the second one drafted, James Pearce, who has been the “standout performer” from camp.
“It feels like he has been at the center of everything, mostly good but some bad,” ESPN’s Marc Raimondi writes. “Pearce has been involved in several skirmishes with offensive linemen. But he also has a handful of sacks, has gotten consistent pressure on the quarterback and is playing extremely hard every down. Morris said the Falcons wanted to draft him because of the “natural edge” he brings to the field.”
Pearce’s main concern coming out of college was his character issues. There were legal allegations made, as well as reports coming out of Tennessee’s locker room that lead general manager’s to question if they could truly depend on him. However, some argued he was the most polished pass rusher in the entire class.
So far in Atlanta, both party’s have been proven correct. JPJ has lit it up on the field, but he apparently rarely sees eye-to-eye with his teammates on the other side.
James Pearce Jr. Can’t Stop Getting In Fights
Having an edge is always a good thing. You don’t play football to make friends. But it is mildly concerning that there is a report seemingly every other day that the rookie is involved in, or has initiated, another scuffle.
“James Pearce Jr in the middle of it,” wrote reporter Maria Martin on Monday. “Raheem Morris got in his face after. Tyrone Wheatley and JPJ chirping at each other for a while after. [It] looked like JPJ grabbed a face mask at some point. He was taken out of the next rep.”
There was at least two other instances last week as well in which JPJ was the leading factor in a practice dust up. As a former Division I college football player, I understand that these things happen. I also understand that there are some real rivalries that can develop in practice. In my experience, these are rarely an actual concern, and it seems that the Falcons front office shares this sentiment.
“James Pearce Jr. has gotten into another scuffle at practice, some see this as an issue but voices in the locker room and front office have described it as “grit” and “passion” something this defensive unit hasn’t seen in a while,” reads a post from Falcons writer/reporter Chris Alberts.
All Four Falcons’ Rookies Healthy
The Dirty Birds have been light handed for a few practices as they have been handling the health of their rookies very cautiously. However, head coach Raheem Morris announced that all four of the big name first-years would be active on Friday in the team’s first preseason game.
“How will the four highly touted rookies — Jalon Walker, Pearce, Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. — perform?” Raimondi asks. “Walker and Watts have missed a good portion of 11-on-11 work in camp due to minor injuries but will play Friday. Both have a shot at starting roles, with Walker likely to at least be in the rotation at edge rusher. Pearce has been one of the most talked about players all summer, and Bowman has gotten some reps with the first team at nickel. The expectation is that all four will have major roles in 2025.”