James Pearce Jr. is making it look easy-but what he's doing as a rookie is anything but.
The Atlanta Falcons bet big when they traded up in the 2025 NFL Draft to land the explosive pass-rusher out of Tennessee. Now, with the regular season winding down, that gamble is paying off in a major way.
Pearce is not just living up to expectations-he’s starting to exceed them. And after a dominant showing in Week 15 against Tampa Bay, he’s firmly planted himself in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Let’s talk about that Thursday night performance. Pearce didn’t just show up-he took over.
Two sacks. Two tackles for loss.
Two passes defensed. That’s not just stuffing the stat sheet; that’s impacting the game at every level.
He’s now recorded a sack in six straight games, and his presence off the edge is becoming a weekly problem for opposing offenses.
What makes Pearce so dangerous is how quickly his college skill set has translated to the pros. At Tennessee, he was known for his burst off the line and his ability to bend the edge-traits that made him a potential top-five pick before the draft. Now, he’s bringing that same energy to Sundays, and it’s making life miserable for offensive tackles across the league.
He’s currently leading all rookies-and the Falcons-with eight sacks. That number alone is impressive, but it’s the way he’s getting them that really stands out.
Pearce isn’t just cleaning up plays or benefiting from coverage sacks. He’s winning one-on-one battles with speed, power, and technique.
And that’s where the Falcons’ defensive scheme deserves some credit too.
Atlanta’s defense, under coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has made a noticeable leap this season, and Pearce has been a big reason why. But he’s not doing it alone.
The presence of fellow first-rounder Jalon Walker means teams can’t just slide protection to Pearce’s side. When offensive lines are forced to pick their poison, Pearce is thriving in those one-on-one situations.
And when he wins, he wins big.
Former NFL scout and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick has been high on Pearce since before the season even kicked off. Back in the summer, Riddick predicted Pearce would lead the league in sacks as a rookie.
While that won’t happen this year-thanks in large part to Myles Garrett’s monster season-Riddick hasn’t backed off his projection. He still believes Pearce has what it takes to eventually lead the league in sacks and join the elite tier of pass rushers alongside names like Garrett and T.J.
Watt.
And honestly? It’s not hard to see why.
Pearce is already showing the kind of production, consistency, and game-wrecking ability that teams spend years trying to find. He’s not just a flash-in-the-pan rookie. He’s building a foundation that could make him a cornerstone of Atlanta’s defense for years to come.
General manager Terry Fontenot took a swing on Pearce, and it’s looking like a home run. With the Falcons pushing for a playoff spot and their defense finding its identity, Pearce has become more than just a bright spot-he’s a difference-maker.
The future is coming fast for James Pearce Jr. And if this is just the beginning, the rest of the league better start paying attention.