Despite selecting Georgia EDGE rusher with the 15th overall pick, the Atlanta Falcons still had an appetite for pass rushers.
The Falcons traded back into the first round and acquired the 26th overall pick through an expensive trade with the Los Angeles Rams, securing Tennessee EDGE rusher James Pearce Jr. to add a pair of sharp SEC prospects on the defensive line.
Pearce is Tennessee’s 388th all-time NFL Draft pick and the second first-rounder in the Josh Heupel era (2022-2025). The Charlotte native is also the seventh former Volunteer to be drafted by the Atlanta Falcons.
More from RTI: Tennessee EDGE Rusher James Pearce Jr. Selected in the First Round After Trade
With the polarizing components of a pricey trade and two players at the same position, social media was buzzing after the Falcons took Pearce at 26 overall. Here’s a look at some of the early reactions on social media after the move was made:
With the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 @NFLDraft, the @AtlantaFalcons select James Pearce Jr. @NewEraCap
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/td7G3aSdHu— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
Jalon Walker + James Pearce Jr.
The Falcons improved their pass rush in a MASSIVE way 💥 pic.twitter.com/iod2TDGwV5
— PFF (@PFF) April 25, 2025
#VFL James Pearce has been drafted 26th overall by the Atlanta #Falcons. He finished with 7.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss this past season for Tennessee. #Vols pic.twitter.com/EHDDoN5c1S
— Reece Van Haaften (@Reece_VH) April 25, 2025
James Pearce Jr. is heading to the Atlanta Falcons with the 26th pick 👏 pic.twitter.com/qVLbSmOr5T
— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2025
So, this feels like the Falcons had James Pearce Jr. penciled in at No. 15, were surprised to see Jalon Walker available there and couldn’t pass on him but then couldn’t quit on Pearce so made a (very expensive) trade to get back in the first Rond and draft him.
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) April 25, 2025
Atlanta must REALLY love James Pearce Jr. because that is an INSANE amount of capital to give up
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 25, 2025
Jalon Walker
James Pearce Jr.
Ruke Orhorhoro
Bralen Trice
Arnold Ebiketie
Leonard FloydThe #Falcons have all of a sudden transformed and added on to a pass rush filled with youth and some experience pic.twitter.com/OdVJ8TQlwl
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) April 25, 2025
I like James Pearce, I’m excited about how much better the pass rush is after tonight. I also absolutely hate the trade up.
— Adnan Ikic (@SayWhichWay) April 25, 2025
The @AtlantaFalcons mortgage a big chunk of the 26′ draft to get James Pearce and a 3rd rounder this year. I don’t hate it. He’s a bigger dude than Mike Green, both had reported character issues” . I heard from UT people that was nonsense. pic.twitter.com/oxasl0vRGP
— MikeBell929 (@MikeBellATL) April 25, 2025
JAMES PEARCE JR. TO THE ATLANTA FALCONS.
Falcons traded up too👀
— Barstool Rocky Top (@BarstoolTenn) April 25, 2025
The Falcons went from never having good young pass rushers to potentially grabbing two in one night.
Good for James Pearce Jr. I think that’s an overpay by Atlanta, but Pearce has *that* high of a ceiling…it may work out just fine.
Hope he crushes it.
— Will Boling (@will_boling) April 25, 2025
I can’t stand the Falcons, but they just did my dream scenario for Carolina by drafting both Jalon Walker and James Pearce, Jr. I hate it here.
— JT (@Jaberuski) April 25, 2025
After lots of projections having him going in the second round, James Pearce is off the board at No. 26.
He’s headed right down Interstate 75 to the Atlanta Falcons.
— Ryan Schumpert (@rschump00) April 25, 2025
#Falcons have majorly upgraded the athleticism of its defense with the additions of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Wow.
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) April 25, 2025
Man. Falcons really wanted James Pearce Jr.
— Lucas Panzica (@lucaspanzica) April 25, 2025
Falcons winning the draft so far.
Jalon Walker at 15 & James Pearce at 26
Two potentially elite defenders https://t.co/C0spryOpKx
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) April 25, 2025
This morning, if #Falcons fans were told they’d land BOTH Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. tonight, they would have been over the moon. Big night for ATL.
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) April 25, 2025
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot says it’s “exciting” to add “two true rushers from the SEC” in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.
— Will McFadden (@willmcfadden) April 25, 2025
Pearce is one of a small handful of former Tennessee players who expect to hear their names called during the draft this weekend. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee-related coverage throughout the entire 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
