Cowboys host two-time All-SEC defensive end as Top 30 draft visit

After watching the Dallas Cowboys offense struggle for every yard in 2024, it’s been a common belief that they’ll target either a wide receiver or running back in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft.

Their decision-makers aren’t limiting their options, however, as they continue to meet with several of the top defensive prospects. Dallas already had a meeting with Texas A&M defensive end Shemar Stewart, and now they can add James Pearce Jr. to that list as well.

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According to Dallas insider Nick Harris, Pearce already met with the Cowboys as a top 30 visit.

Tennessee DE James Pearce Jr. took a 30-visit with the Cowboys last weekend, according to @RapSheet. 15 of 30 reported.
— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) April 8, 2025

Pearce was a two-time All-SEC defensive end for the Tennessee Volunteers. Over his final two seasons with the Vols, he recorded 66 tackles and 17.5 sacks.

Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. sacks UTEP quarterback JP Pickles | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Adding another pass rusher might not feel like a major need for the Cowboys with Micah Parsons, Dante Fowler, and Sam Williams on the roster but they have to replace DeMarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston who left in free agency.

Whether or not they address that need in Round 1 will depend on how they feel about Williams, who is coming off a torn ACL, and 2024 second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland, who had no sacks as a rookie.

Ideally, they can wait until at least Day 2, especially considering their offensive woes from a year ago.

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