Lions Trade Up For Hometown Pass Rusher
The Detroit Lions made their move. Brad Holmes and company traded up six spots in the second round to grab Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore with the 44th overall pick.
Here’s what it cost them: their second fourth-round selection. The Lions sent pick 50 and pick 128 to the Jets for pick 44. Standard draft math, nothing crazy.
Moore fills a glaring need on the defensive line. Look at that room before this pick: Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Payton Turner, and Ahmed Hassanein. That’s it. That’s the depth chart that was supposed to generate a consistent pass rush.
What You Get With Moore
Moore was a two-year starter up in Ann Arbor, posting four and 10 sacks in his last two seasons, respectively. Team captain in 2025. The kind of player Detroit has historically loved.
The measurables check every box Holmes looks for. Six-foot-4 with an 81 1/4 inch wingspan. He posted a 17.5 pressure rate in the Big 10, making him one of the most productive pass rushers in the conference.
Now Moore gets to compete with Wonnum for snaps opposite Hutchinson. And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another Michigan guy coming home to Allen Park. Some things never change.
What’s Left
With offensive tackle and defensive end now crossed off the list, the Lions can focus on the other holes. Linebacker remains a priority. So does tight end and nose tackle.
Detroit’s next selection comes at pick 118 in the fourth round. They still have six picks remaining, including two fifth-rounders and two sixth-rounders.
The Lions needed pass rush help behind Hutchinson, and they got a local kid who knows how to find the quarterback. Sometimes the simple moves are the right moves.
Is trading up for another Michigan guy classic Lions or smart business? Drop your thoughts below.
Love this move honestly. We finally have a GM who’s building this thing right, and Moore is exactly the kind of hungry player who can help fix our pass rush problem. Trading up for a guy who knows the system and grew up loving the Lions is just smart football.
I get it, I really do, but we keep doing this Michigan thing over and over. Just because a kid is from here doesn’t mean he’s gonna be the answer. Moore better actually produce on Sundays or this is gonna look real silly.
This reminds me of the old days when we’d get hyped about bringing local talent home. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. But I like that we’re being aggressive about getting help on the line instead of waiting around. That’s the kind of move winners make.
Hutchinson needed someone to work with and Moore fits perfectly. The wingspan, the motor, everything checks out. This is the kind of complementary piece that actually changes our defense. Let’s go!