Detroit Finally Gets Hutchinson Some Help
To kick off Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions started with a bang by trading up and selecting Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore at pick 44. The two biggest needs fans have been screaming about all offseason? Offensive tackle and edge defender. Holmes just knocked out both immediately.
What did the Lions give up to move up to pick 44? Nothing too crazy, trading away their second-round pick (50) and one of their fourth-round picks (128) to move up six spots. That’s a solid deal to jump ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, who took EDGE Zion Young with the next pick. Looks like Holmes had an inkling the Ravens would snag Moore and didn’t want to get left holding the bag.
What This Means for the Depth Chart
You have competition now at the opposite EDGE position next to Aidan Hutchinson to see who can be the starter. The team signed DJ Wonnum in free agency to give them a solid run defender on the EDGE, but he wasn’t the pass rusher fans hoped to get. Moore primarily focuses on the pass rush, which is something this team has desperately needed to give them pressure from both sides.
He could very well be the starting EDGE if the team believes he can do it all. But I could see Wonnum being the starter to get Moore adjusted to NFL-level play. This helps the Lions as the depth behind Wonnum and Hutchinson was paper thin, and now the team can have a solid rotation of three players.
The College Resume
Moore was a four-year player at Michigan, playing in at least 12 games each season, totaling 53 games with 23 starts. He was voted team captain in 2025 and had his best year of his career at Michigan. In total, he racked up 95 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, eight pass deflections with three forced fumbles and recoveries, taking one to the house.
Last season, he was ranked 16th according to PFF for EDGE defensive grade (89.9) and a 92.4 pass rush grade, tied for ninth with first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. During his time at Michigan, he was a three-time All-Big Ten selection and won the defensive MVP for their postseason team awards.
What You’re Getting
Where Moore shines is rushing the passer, hands down. He excels due to his size at 6-foot-3, weighing 255 pounds, using that size and weight to bull rush the tackle and put pressure on the quarterback. He can read plays well and trick plays aren’t going to fool him as easily as they would others.
Where he struggles is getting off blocks as he tries to beat the blocker as much as possible instead of quickly trying something else or moving on. Because of his size, he isn’t the fastest guy, so sometimes that hurts him and makes things take longer than they should. He doesn’t have the quickness off the snap like Hutchinson does, which doesn’t give him that quick advantage on the tackle.
The Verdict
When it comes to the pick, it was a good choice by the Lions to give them another pass rusher to pair with Hutchinson. This team doesn’t have another powerful pass rusher who can push the other side of the offensive line. With Hutchinson laying the pressure on one side, Moore can bring it from the other and have offenses start having to respect both edges.
The only thing I question is the trade to move up. The trade itself wasn’t bad, but it does feel like a little bit of a reach because Moore was projected to be a late-round two, early-round three pick. Clearly, the team wanted to move ahead of the Ravens to make sure they got their guy, but that’s two picks so far that Detroit made a little bit earlier than expected.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. After watching this franchise whiff on pass rushers for decades, getting a proven college producer who can actually get to the quarterback feels like Christmas morning. Holmes finally gave Hutchinson the help he’s been begging for.
Grade: B+
Is this the draft pick that finally gives our pass rush some bite, or are we just setting ourselves up for another disappointment? Drop your take below.
