With the 2025 NFL Draft just weeks away, it’s officially mock draft season overload. Everyone’s got a take, a sleeper, or a “perfect fit” pick. But sometimes, the fanbase already knows what makes the most sense. That’s exactly the case in Baltimore, where Ravens fans have been overwhelmingly locking onto one name in mock drafts: James Pearce Jr.
According to Pro Football Focus' data from their Mock Draft Simulator, Pearce is the most frequently mocked player to the Ravens by fans. And honestly? We're super cool with it because that would be awesome.
The Tennessee edge rusher has the athletic traits, raw explosiveness, and disruptive upside that screams difference-maker.
Baltimore doesn’t have a ton of obvious holes heading into the draft, but pass rusher is clearly one of them. Kyle Van Noy is 34, David Ojabo’s development has stalled, and Odafe Oweh still hasn’t proven he can be more than a rotational spark plug. Getting younger, faster, and more dangerous off the edge would go a long way toward keeping the defense elite.
Ravens fans are in agreement on James Pearce Jr.
Pearce isn’t just a fan favorite in mocks. He’s a legitimate first-round talent with sky-high potential. As PFF put it:
“Pearce is the kind of athlete with the production and disruption scores you don’t let out of the first round. His twitchy movements show difference-making NFL traits that can be situational at worst and All-Pro at best.”
That’s not hyperbolic, either. Pearce finished the 2024 season with only 7.5 sacks, but his 19% pressure rate ranked second in the entire FBS. He’s 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, has a lightning-quick first step, elite bend around the edge, and the kind of pursuit speed that can wreck a game in an instant.
He’s not a finished product by any means. He needs to get stronger against the run and add more polish to his pass-rush moves, but his upside is enormous. In Baltimore, Pearce could thrive from Day 1 as a rotational rusher and quickly become a three-down force. Exactly the type of player the Ravens need.
There’s also real value in drafting a player who fits your identity. Pearce looks and plays like a Raven—from Terrell Suggs to Matt Judon to Za’Darius Smith. If he’s still on the board when the Ravens are on the clock with the 27th pick, general manager Eric DeCosta shouldn’t overthink it.
Also, Pearce wore No. 27 at Tennessee, so getting drafted at pick No. 27 by the Ravens would be objectively cool. No deeper reason. Just cool.
Draft night always brings surprises, but if the Ravens walk away with Pearce, it’ll feel like a massive win well before he even takes the field.