One prospect the Denver Broncos could draft in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft is Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore. He is a 6-4, 255-pound edge rusher who could be a potential dark-horse pick for the Broncos in the second round of the draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Moore ranked as his 14th-best edge rusher in the draft, has him graded as his 77th overall player in the draft, and has a 3rd round grade on him.
Moore played all four seasons at Michigan and turned
himself into one of the better edge rushers in the country during that span. During his four-year career, he appeared in 53 games, including 24 starts, and totaled 95 tackles, 24.5 tackles for a loss, 21 sacks, 8 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. This past year, Moore played and started in 12 games and totaled 30 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. This performance earned him an invite to the Senior Bowl, where he was a standout player during the week of practices.
The Denver Broncos do not have a glaring need at edge rusher, but with the recent news that Jonah Elliss will be getting some inside linebacker snaps, they could be looking to add to that room. As of this writing, we do not know the extent of Elliss’s potential position switch, but if he’s moving to full-time off-the-ball linebacker, the Broncos would need another edge rusher.
Derrick Moore would give them a relentless and powerful edge rusher who wins with power and is relentless in trying to get after the quarterback. Pairing that with the Broncos lead-leaguing pass rush unit will only make the Broncos pass rush even more dangerous.
Player Profile
Derrick Moore | Edge Rusher | Michigan
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 257 pounds
- Arm Length: 33 3/8 inches
- Wingspan: 81 1/4 inches
- Hand Size: 9 1/8 inches
- Vertical Jump: 30 inches
- Broad Jump: 9-7
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- Looks the part – Good size, thick build, athletic frame, and has long arms
- Has good explosiveness of the snap and closes in quickly on the quarterback
- Powerful edge rusher who turns speed into power and knocks blockers backwards with a mean bull rush
- Has a strong initial strike with his hands that knocks blockers backwards
- Uses his strength and long arms to hold the point of attack and doesn’t get knocked backwards much
- Sets the edge well and contributes to the run game
- High motor player who is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback or ball carrier
- Uses his size, speed, and length to swallow up quarterbacks and ball carriers when he’s close
- Was a team captain and a quiet leader of the Michigan defense
Weaknesses
- Occasionally has high-pad level and has some stiffness in his hips – More powerful than a twitchy edge bender
- Can be more consistent and effective in the run game
- Could add a few more pass rush moves to his toolbox
- Is coming off a hamstring injury that limited him from doing workouts during the draft process
What other analysts are saying about Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore
The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore
With his size and traits, Moore has been gradually ascending over the past four seasons. As a pass rusher, he gains ground quickly out of his stance, with the momentum and length to be effective converting speed to power. He understands when to counter in his rush but has some tightness turning the arc and needs to patch together a better overall rush plan (aside from his power profile). He is unselfish as an edge-setting presence to keep the ball contained, although I’d like to see him be more of a playmaker in the run game. Moore is a well-rounded player with a feel for what he’s doing in both the run game and as a pass rusher. I like his floor more than his ceiling, but the tools are there for him to become an NFL starter.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore
Edge prospect with good size and length. Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing. If Moore cranks up the fire on all three downs, he can become a good full-time player. Either way, he projects as a starter capable of racking up pressures.
Should the Broncos draft Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore in the 2nd round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
You can never have enough pass rushers.
If Jonah Elliss is going to play more inside/off-the-ball linebacker, then adding another edge rusher makes sense. Pass rusher is one of the more important positions in football, and you should spend your premium selections on them.
Que Robinson showed promise last year, and Dondrea Tillman has flashed, but adding another young pass rusher in the mix behind Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper would make sense IF Elliss is switching positions.
I like his overall game. He’s a relentless and powerful pass rusher off the edge and would fit in well with this current group. He would also provide depth behind Bonitto and Cooper and keep that unit strong moving forward. The draft isn’t always about the now; it’s about the future, and this would be one of those situations.
Do I think this is likely? Probably not. However, with Elliss moving to linebacker (full-time or part-time), it keeps the door open for a pick like this. Hell, nobody saw cornerback being the pick in the first round last year so we cannot fully rule out of the possibility.
