Vols Edge Rusher Travels I-75 For NFL

Round 1 of the NFL Draft was last night in Green Bay, WI. As expected, the Tennessee Titans drafted quarterback Cam Ward out of the University of Miami with the first overall pick. The Titans are hoping they have acquired the franchise quarterback they have been missing for twenty years. The last time the Titans had a true franchise quarterback, the undisputed leader and face of the franchise, was when they drafted Steve McNair in 1995…30 years ago. He was let go in a salary cap purge in 2005.

Tennessee Vol James Pearce, Jr. did hear his name called in the first round, but it was by an unexpected team. The Eagles were predicted to land Pearce with the final pick of the first round. However, Pearce will not have to travel far to begin his NFL Career, just down I-75. The Atlanta Falcons traded back into the first round Thursday night and drafted the Tennessee edge rusher at pick #26. Pearce will now need to perform at the next level as the Falcons paid a hefty price to get him. Atlanta traded their second-round (No. 46) and seventh-round picks (No. 242) this year, as well as their first-round pick in 2026 to the Los Angeles Rams to get Pearce. The Falcons did get a third rounder this year from the Rams in that trade.

Rounds 2 & 3 of the draft are Friday night (4/25). Vols running back Dylan Sampson could go off the board as he has generally been predicted to hear his name called in the third round.