The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
During Jeff Hafley’s first season as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, the pass rush did disappearing acts in big games far too often.
The Packers dismissed defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
Brian Gutekunst made it crystal clear during the NFL Scouting Combine that they need the defensive line to create more chaos if they are going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
“We need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players,” Gutekunst said. “I’m excited about the guys we have in the room, we’ll see if we add to it, but that’s gotta get better if we’re going to accomplish our goals we want to accomplish in this season.”
A player who could help bolster Green Bay’s pass rush is James Pearce Jr. The Tennessee defensive end checks in at No. 54 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A four-star recruit, Pearce recorded two sacks during his first season on campus. In 2023, Pearce recorded 15 tackles for loss and an SEC-leading 10 sacks. This past season he recorded 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Pearce’s nickname should be TNT because he is explosive. His game is predicated on his explosive first step. Pearce posted the best 10-yard split (1.56) among defensive ends at the combine and that lighting quick first step is a big reason why he posted 17.5 sacks and 107 pressures over the past two seasons.
He runs the arc with speed and shows great closing burst to the quarterback. At only 245 pounds, Pearce does a good job of converting speed to power and understands how to create leverage.
“It’s all about speed and first-step quickness for Pearce,” Devin Jackson, an NFL Draft writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, said. “He explodes off the football and tries to time the snap count to get a bead on an offensive line. Speed to power conversions and trying to run past offensive linemen with his vertical are his most effective pass-rush moves right now.”
Pearce has the quickness to chase down ball carriers from the backside. He’s not the strongest at the point of attack, but he’s slippery. He has the lateral quickness to evade blocks and disrupt the action in the backfield. During the past two seasons, he recorded 51 run stops.
“Run defense is probably the weakest area for Pearce,” Jackson said. “He doesn’t have the play strength right now to stand his ground consistently but he’s got speed to gap shoot and get underneath blockers at the LOS.”
Fit with the Packers
Green Bay’s pass rush could use a different flavor. Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness are all power-packed pass rushers and that room could use a Clay Matthews-like player.
Enter Pearce. The Tennessee defensive end would bring instant juice to a pass rush that desperately needs a shot in the arm.
“If you’re drafting Pearce, you’re betting on the upside, as he will be only 21 on draft day,” Jackson said. “He’s got excellent explosiveness and first-step quickness and at the very least is a sub-package pass rusher early in his career. If he can fill out his wiry frame and become more consistent using his hands as both a run defender and pass rusher, there’s a path for him to become a full-time starter at the NFL level after being used in a heavy rotation defensive scheme at Tennessee.”
At 245 pounds, Pearce may be too light for Green Bay’s liking. Gutekunst wants the defensive line to cause more chaos. Pearce has a knack for getting after the quarterback. Given his own words, Green Bay’s general manager may be willing to loosen up on the weight threshold to add a player who could help the Packers accomplish their goals.
If Pearce is still on the board when the Packers are on the clock with the 23rd overall pick, his explosiveness may be tempting to pass up for a team thirsty for pass-rush help.
