Adam Rank of NFL.com may not be the most popular league analyst among Washington Commanders fans. His history of consistently picking against the rising squad last season was renowned, which lasted throughout last season's memorable 12-5 campaign and run to the NFC Championship game.
That said, in Rank's latest mock draft, he has tossed the Commanders a bone by allowing one of the league's top pass-rushing prospects to fall to No. 29 overall. The pick is Tennessee's James Pearce Jr.
"The offense is looking really good, Commanders, now that you've bolstered the line with Laremy Tunsil and brought in Deebo Samuel to go opposite Terry McLaurin. I wouldn't rule out taking a running back or another offensive stud here. However, you need to play some defense. Pearce could help boost the pass rush after the loss of 2024 sack leader Dante Fowler and two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen."Adam Rank
Pearce would be a massive get for Washington if he drops that low, largely for the reasons outlined above. He has the potential to become one of the best players in the draft, regardless of position. In most mocks throughout the spring, he has been projected as a mid-first-rounder if not better.
James Pearce Jr. would bring much-needed dynamism to the Commanders' pass-rush
In three college seasons at Tennessee, Pearce recorded 19.5 sacks, 30 tackles for a loss, 71 tackles, and three forced fumbles. The vast majority of those stats came in his final two seasons with the Volunteers, in which he was named an All-SEC first-teamer in both 2023 and 2024.
Pearce is also incredibly young. He's only 21 years old after bypassing his final season of college eligibility to declare for the draft. The explosive edge force will become a long-term investment for any team that selects him, with an upside that may not be reached right away in the NFL.
That might not make him the greatest fit for the win-now Commanders. At the same time, this is a team that could use some youth to develop. Despite having in theory only just begun its competitive window, Washington features one of the older rosters in the league. Not what general manager Adam Peters had in mind upon taking the job, but plans changed quickly.
Plus, sometimes you just can't overthink it.
Pearce is quite arguably the best edge rusher in his class not named Abdul Carter, who will almost certainly be a top-three pick. He plays a position of need for the Commanders, and if he drops to them, Peters and company shouldn't think twice before selecting him.
As for Rank, meanwhile, Washington fans can only hope that this indicates some overdue respect has finally been earned their way.