A draft prospect the Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft plan must include is a pass rusher, and one of the top pass rush prospects should be available at pick 12.
The Cowboys did bring back a former player, Dante Fowler Jr., who spent last season with the Washington Commanders.
Fowler had a great season last year and brings a pass rush to help take pressure off Micah Parsons.
Outside of Dante Fowler and Micah Parsons, the edge defenders get young and unproven.
The defensive end depth chart currently will look like this:
(LDE) – (1) Dante Fowler Jr., (2) Sam Williams, (3) Tyrus Wheat, (4) Luiji Vilain
(RDE) – (1) Micah Parson, (2) Marshawn Kneeland, (3) Payton Turner
Key – (LDE) Left Defensive End, (RDE) Right Defensive End
The Cowboys have many bodies at the position, and the talent behind Parsons and Fowler is there, but will the coaching staff rely on limited tape from Williams and Kneeland in the NFL?
There are much bigger needs than a defensive end, but if a top prospect is there, the thought of drafting a player such as James Pearce Jr. will be present.
James Pearce Jr. (Junior) Tennessee
James Pearce Jr. was once a top-ten prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, questions regarding his off-field behaviors raised concerns, and his draft position suffered.
While at Tennessee, the character concerns never seemed to surface outside a traffic stop, during which he was speeding, did not have a driver’s license, and failed to have proper insurance.
He was arrested for this incident, which is policy for most departments when a driver does not have a license or insurance. However, the charges were dropped when he showed he had a license and insurance.
While playing at Tennessee, James Pearce Jr. was nothing short of dynamic.
In his three years at Rocky Top, he had 23 sacks, 15 QB hits, 75 hurries, and 53 total tackles.
According to PFF.com, in 2024, his pass rush grade was 89.4, and his run defense grade was 84.1, both near elite.
Averaging out his grades over his three seasons at Tennessee, he would have grades of:
- Pass Rush Grade – 86.5
- Run Defense Grade – 68.3
- Tackling Grade – 62.3
- Coverage Grade – 72.7
- Overall Defensive Grade – 81.8
These defensive grades would be on par with any pass rusher in the draft. Compared to the top pass rushing prospect in the draft, Abdul Carter, who had an overall grade of 79 in three years at Penn State.
James Pearce Jr’s Strengths
James Pearce Jr. showcases an elite first-step explosion off the edge, compelling tackles to abandon their stance immediately and creating significant advantages in pass rush situations.
He possesses good bend and ankle flex when turning the corner, consistently getting hip-to-hip with tackles while effectively reducing his surface area to close in on the quarterback.
James Pearce Jr. is still my EDGE1.
He’s dominated SEC play and improved MASSIVELY as a run defender since 2023. pic.twitter.com/L6jFGjPJdV
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 7, 2024
Pearce demonstrates advanced hand usage that exceeds expectations for his experience level, particularly with his signature rip move, which perfectly complements his speed rush.
His natural instincts as a pass rusher are evident. He skillfully sets up tackles with subtle stance variations and perfectly timed jumps, establishing pre-snap advantages.
He exhibits outstanding spatial awareness on the line in games, maintaining rush integrity and seamlessly exchanging gaps with teammates.
Pearce brings devastating closing speed to finish plays, routinely converting pressures into sacks after breaking containment.
His impressive change of direction ability when countering inside forces tackles to respect his two-way go.
With a high football IQ, Pearce effectively diagnoses screenplays and adjusts his rush path accordingly, proving he can adapt and dominate against any offensive scheme.
James Pearce Jr’s Weaknesses
James Pearce Jr. currently lacks the ideal play strength at the point of attack, often resulting in him being displaced by more powerful offensive tackles in the run game.
He demonstrates inconsistency in maintaining leverage when teams run directly at him, particularly against gap schemes that incorporate pulling guards.
James Pearce Jr. (6’5, 254lbs) stifling future 1st round guard Tyler Booker (6’5, 352lbs) and stuffing the run.
This is an ELITE, first round prospect on the edge. pic.twitter.com/Inw5E0NnmZ
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 6, 2025
Additionally, he tends to focus too much on rushing upfield, which can create escape lanes for mobile quarterbacks as he loses containment responsibilities.
Pearce must develop a more reliable countermove when his initial rush stalls, as he is overly reliant on pure speed to win.
Moreover, he needs to enhance his ability to stack and shed quickly against longer offensive tackles who can get their hands on him first.
The Dallas Cowboys do not necessarily need a defensive end, but the chance to acquire a potential game-changing prospect in James Pearce Jr. could persuade the front office and coaching staff to reconsider.
Overall, Pearce Jr is a highly explosive pass rusher who needs to gain more strength against the run to be a true three-down defensive end.
If incorporated into the NFL, like Brian Burns, who was brought up to speed slowly in Jacksonville, the Cowboys could get an impressive running mate for Micah Parsons.