Packers.com has consulted more than two dozen mock drafts from reputable national outlets and compiled a list of players most frequently mocked as draft selections in the latter portion of the first round (picks 18-28) who could be available when the Packers are on the clock at No. 23 overall.
Between now and draft day, those players will be profiled with thumbnail sketches and videos known as "Prospect Primers."
Today's player is …
James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee
Height/Weight: 6-5, 245
Key stats: Recorded 17½ sacks among 27½ tackles for loss over the past two seasons.
College honors: Two-time, first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2023-24.
Background/other info: Charlotte native who played sparingly upon arrival at Tennessee in 2022 but developed into one of the top edge rushers in the country. Finished a double-digit sack season in 2023 with 1½ sacks, a forced fumble and a pick-six in bowl victory over Iowa but then saw his sack production drop (7½) in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, though, his pressures actually increased from 51 to 55 over those two seasons, last year's 55 tying for second in pressures in the SEC, despite facing more double teams. Does have one off-field arrest from a traffic incident in 2023, with the charges eventually dropped. Clocked a 4.47 in the 40 at the combine, putting him in elite company with that speed at 245 pounds. Seen as an instant-impact pass-rush specialist in the NFL whose frame can fill out to make him a more well-rounded edge defender, particularly vs. the run.
