The Green Bay Packers pass rush has struggled this season. However, they still traded Preston Smith after he requested to be moved. The team will now be tasked to replace him after the season.
FanSided’s Sayre Bedinger urged the Packers to replace Smith with the University of Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.
“James Pearce Jr. has gone from a guy who was projected to go first overall by some outlets in the offseason to being considered a middle-of-the-pack first-round player. There are a lot of rumors out there right now that there aren’t going to be as many true first-round talents in this draft class, but Pearce is undoubtedly one of them,” wrote Bedinger. “The Packers may have to move up to get him.”
Pearce was recognized on the first team All-SEC by coaches and the Associated Press. He had 10 sacks in 2023 and has 4.5 this season. He is one of the best players in the draft and could be an instant difference-maker for the Packers. He was put on the watchlist for many awards before the season started.
“Pearce has been putting heat on opposing quarterbacks all year long and might have been one of the best in the country last year as well. He has been racking up pressures all season, and the sack numbers have finally started to catch up lately,” wrote Bedinger.
The Packers are not getting production indicative of the investment they have made into their pass rush. Rashan Gary is struggling this season. Lukas Van Ness has not produced like the Packers expected from him when they drafted him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
More NFL: Preston Smith actually requested trade from Packers: ‘I got what I asked for’