James Pearce Jr.

NFL edge rusher. Position: DE. Team: ATL.

Quick Facts

Position: Defensive End (DE)
Team: ATL (Atlanta Falcons)
Drafted: 2025 NFL Draft, 1st round (15th overall)
Experience: Rookie

2026 Outlook

James Pearce Jr. delivered an outstanding rookie season for the Falcons, finishing atop sack leaders among first-year players and as a finalist for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year with strong production on the edge. He was a beast on the field, and there was growing optimism that the Falcons had found their pass rusher of the future. However, Pearce was arrested in February on domestic violence allegations, which will cost him games. He entered into a 12-month pre-trial agreement that could keep him out of jail, but the NFL's punishment is still pending. He will face some form of suspension, but when that comes and how long it will last remains unclear until the league office makes its determination (per 3 Reasons for Optimism, 3 Reasons for Concern for Falcons in 2026). His 2026 availability is highly uncertain.

Pearce carries a $3.8M salary cap hit in 2026, ranking 7th among Atlanta's defenders and reflecting his value despite the legal situation (per 10 highest Falcons salary cap hits on defense in 2026).

Role / Depth Chart

Starting edge rusher when available; suspension status TBD.

Injury Status

No reported injuries. Off-field legal matter will impact availability in 2026.

Recent News

2026-06-05 — Ranking the NFL’s Best Defensive Triplets from 32–1 for 2026 (Ranking the NFL’s Best Defensive Triplets from 32–1 for 2026)
2026-04-21 — 2026 NFL Mock Draft – Final Full Round 1 Predictions by Dave Kluge (2026 NFL Mock Draft – Final Full Round 1 Predictions by Dave Kluge)
2026-05-29 — Falcons' QB controversy is taking attention away from the bigger position battle (Falcons' QB controversy is taking attention away from the bigger position battle)
2026-06-11 — NFC South Defensive Coordinators: Early 2026 Analysis And Projections (NFC South Defensive Coordinators: Early 2026 Analysis And Projections)
2026-03-30 — Four reasons why running backs like Jeremiyah Love are no longer drafted so early -... (Four reasons why running backs like Jeremiyah Love are no longer drafted so early -...)
2026-04-27 — Falcons release veteran punter Trenton Gill from roster (Falcons release veteran punter Trenton Gill from roster)
2026-04-24 — Biggest need for every team entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft: What all 32 clubs must fix (Biggest need for every team entering Day 2 of 2026 NFL Draft: What all 32 clubs must fix)
2026-05-03 — NFL defense rankings 2025: Evaluating all 32 Defenses Entering 2026 Season (NFL defense rankings 2025: Evaluating all 32 Defenses Entering 2026 Season)
2026-06-05 — 3 Reasons for Optimism, 3 Reasons for Concern for Falcons in 2026 (3 Reasons for Optimism, 3 Reasons for Concern for Falcons in 2026)
2026-05-15 — Instant predictions for Falcons’ 2026 slate (Instant predictions for Falcons’ 2026 slate)

Open Questions

When will the NFL announce James Pearce Jr.'s suspension length for his February arrest?