Heavy Buzz: Are the Falcons Plotting a First-Round Shock with James Pearce Jr.?….

Heavy Buzz: Are the Falcons Plotting a First-Round Shock with James Pearce Jr.?

As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, the rumor mill around the Atlanta Falcons is heating up — and Tennessee pass rusher James Pearce Jr. is at the center of it all.

For weeks, most mock drafts penciled the Falcons in for a more traditional pick: perhaps an offensive lineman to protect Kirk Cousins, or a cornerback to bolster their shaky secondary. But lately, chatter has been steadily building in league circles that Atlanta may be planning something far less conventional — and far more aggressive. Multiple sources close to the situation say the Falcons are seriously eyeing Pearce Jr., and could even surprise the league by grabbing him far earlier than expected.

Rising Star

James Pearce Jr. didn’t just make noise at Tennessee — he dominated. After racking up 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in his final season with the Volunteers, Pearce rocketed up draft boards. His blend of speed, size, and technique — he measured at 6’5” and 242 pounds at the Combine — has scouts buzzing about his potential to be an immediate impact player at the next level.

But there’s a catch: while his physical tools are undeniable, some analysts believe Pearce is still raw. They point to occasional lapses in discipline and questions about his ability to anchor against the run. Those critiques led some to project him as a mid-to-late first-round pick — not necessarily a top-10 lock.

And yet, here come the Falcons.

Whispers from Inside

According to several reports from plugged-in NFL insiders, the Falcons’ front office is “infatuated” with Pearce’s upside. One executive from another NFC team said this week, “Atlanta has been doing a lot of work on James Pearce behind the scenes. Way more than you’d expect if they thought he’d be gone before their pick — or if they weren’t serious.”

The Falcons currently hold the 8th overall pick, and with top pass-rushing prospects like Dallas Turner and Jared Verse also on the board, it would be bold for Atlanta to prioritize Pearce. But some believe the Falcons see him as the perfect complement to a defensive front desperately in need of a true difference-maker.

“They’re looking for a guy who can change the math for opposing offenses,” one league source told The Athletic. “They think Pearce could be that guy — if they develop him right.”

The New Regime’s Fingerprints

This year marks the first draft under new head coach Raheem Morris, and it’s becoming clear the Falcons could approach things very differently from past years.

Morris and new general manager Terry Fontenot have emphasized getting younger, faster, and more aggressive on defense. Signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency signaled that the Falcons believe their offense is ready to compete now — making an elite defensive piece even more important.

Pearce fits that vision: explosive off the edge, disruptive, and possessing a ceiling few other defenders in this class can match.

A Gamble Worth Taking?

Of course, selecting Pearce this high would be a gamble. Other prospects are seen as safer, more polished options. Some scouts compare Pearce to former NFL standout Jason Pierre-Paul — a high-risk, high-reward edge rusher who needed time to develop but eventually became a Super Bowl champion.

In a loaded draft class where every pick carries huge stakes, passing on more “NFL-ready” players could backfire. But Morris and Fontenot seem willing to swing for the fences.

“They’re not afraid to take a guy who might not be perfect right away if they believe in the long-term payoff,” an NFC South scout said. “Pearce could be the face of that defense in two or three years.”

Strategic Smoke Screen?

Some around the league wonder if the Falcons’ interest in Pearce could be a strategic ploy — a way to bait teams behind them into trading up, or to conceal their true intentions. Atlanta has been notoriously tight-lipped this draft season, fueling more speculation.

If Pearce is truly the target, the Falcons would likely not move down — they’d want to grab him before another team could swoop in.

But if it’s a smokescreen, it’s one of the most convincing of the cycle. The level of excitement leaking out from inside the organization feels genuine, sources insist.

Pearce Responds to the Hype

For his part, Pearce has remained composed amid the buzz. Speaking after his Pro Day at Tennessee, he expressed excitement about whichever team takes a chance on him.

“I’m ready to work. I know what I bring to the table,” Pearce said. “Wherever I go, I’m gonna give them everything I’ve got.”

Still, asked specifically about the Falcons, Pearce smiled and said, “Atlanta would be a great spot. I’m a Southern kid — it would feel like home.”

That comment only added fuel to the fire among Falcons fans already dreaming about what he could bring to their long-struggling pass rush.

The Bigger Picture

For years, the Falcons have struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks. Despite recent efforts to bolster the defensive front through free agency and later-round draft picks, no player has truly emerged as a game-wrecking threat.

Pearce could be that missing piece. His twitchy athleticism and relentless motor give him the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl-caliber talent — if given the right coaching and patience.

With the NFC South wide open, and a franchise eager to return to relevance, rolling the dice on a prospect like Pearce might be exactly the kind of bold move Atlanta needs.

What Happens Next

All eyes will be on the Falcons when they go on the clock Thursday night. Will they play it safe? Or will they make the splashy, surprising move that so many around the league are whispering about?

If the buzz proves true, don’t be shocked when you hear the commissioner call James Pearce Jr.’s name — and don’t be surprised if it happens sooner than anyone expected.