The Washington Commanders have made a bigger jump in year one of their new management than anyone could have realized.
Which makes this upcoming offseason even more important than previously expected. And in a new A to Z Sports mock draft, the Commanders landed help for one of their biggest positional needs.
Commanders land Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce in new mock draft
"Dorance Armstrong has been a steady, reliable pass rusher for Washington under Dan Quinn, but the unit lacks depth and needs another dynamic presence to take it to the next level.
James Pearce has elite quickness and length and pairs them with a good array of pass-rush moves to make him a disruptive pass-rusher. His ability on run-downs is a tough question to navigate, but it's hard to deny his gifts as a rusher."
- New A to Z Sports mock draft
Heading into this college football season, there were many projecting for Tennessee's James Pearce to be in consideration for the number one overall pick. But he wasn't able to reach the same season totals that he recorded just a year ago when he led the SEC with 10 sacks. But he still ended the year with respectable numbers, putting up 7.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
His combo of speed and strength points toward him being a great fit for the NFL level. While he may not be considered for the number one pick, I think the Commanders would be ecstatic if a player of his talent level was available. He would be an immediate help on pass downs, and Dan Quinn and his staff would have to work on him becoming a defensive lineman who can play all three downs.
