Lions Trade Up for Michigan Edge Rusher in Second Round
The Detroit Lions made their move. Brad Holmes traded up six spots in the second round to grab Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore with the 44th overall pick.
The cost? Their second fourth-round selection. The Lions sent pick 50 and pick 128 to the New York Jets to move up and grab their guy.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another Michigan player. But this one actually makes sense.
Moore Fills Glaring Need
Look at the Lions’ defensive end room before this pick. Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Payton Turner, and Ahmed Hassanein. That’s it. That’s the whole damn room.
Moore will compete with Wonnum for snaps opposite Hutchinson. Given what we’ve seen from Wonnum, that competition might be shorter than we think.
The Michigan product was a two-year starter who posted four sacks in one season and 10 sacks in another of his last two seasons. He served as a team captain in 2025, which tells you something about his leadership. At 6-foot-4 with an 81 1/4 inch wingspan, he fits the Lions’ preferred size profile perfectly.
Production That Actually Shows Up
Moore wasn’t just collecting participation trophies in Ann Arbor. He was one of the most productive pass rushers in the Big 10, posting a 17.5 pressure rate according to draft analyst Dane Brugler.
That’s the kind of production this defense desperately needs. We’ve been watching opposing quarterbacks sit in clean pockets for too long while our pass rush disappeared in crucial moments.
The Lions now have their next pick scheduled for 118th overall in the fourth round. They’ve crossed defensive end off their needs list after taking offensive tackle Blake Miller from Clemson in the first round.
Still on the wish list? Linebacker, tight end, nose tackle, defensive back, and running back. Plenty of work left to do, but at least the pass rush got some reinforcement.
Did Holmes nail this pick or are we just setting ourselves up for more Allen Park heartbreak? Drop your take below.
