The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, currently at 4-6, are underperforming due to their defense's inability to close games and generate turnovers. A key issue lies with their edge rushers, who have struggled to convert pressures into sacks, totaling only 6.5 combined. ESPN analyst Matt Miller suggests the Buccaneers might draft edge rusher James Pearce Jr. from the University of Tennessee with the 14th overall pick in 2025.

Pearce, a talented player with a 20.2% pressure rate, has shown promise but needs to refine his technique. While his athleticism is impressive, he must improve his fundamentals to succeed at the NFL level. Drafting Pearce would bolster the Buccaneers' pass rush, helping them blend young talent with veteran leadership for future seasons.