Is Derrick Moore a Fit for the Commanders’ New-Look Defense?

Derrick Moore, DE

School: Michigan | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6’3” / 254 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd-3rd Round
Player Comparison: Derick Hall

College Statistics

Defense & Fumbles Table

						Tackles					Def Interceptions				Fumbles
Season	Team	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Comb	TFL	Sk	Int	Yds	IntTD	PD	FR	Yds	FRTD	FF	Awards
2022*	Michigan	Big Ten	FR	DE	14	7	1	8	2.0	2.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
2023*	Michigan	Big Ten	SO	DE	15	20	14	34	6.0	5.0	0	0	0	2	1	0	1	1
2024*	Michigan	Big Ten	JR	DE	12	16	7	23	6.0	4.0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0
2025*	Michigan	Big Ten	SR	DE	12	19	11	30	10.5	10.0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	2
Career					53	62	33	95	24.5	21.0	0	0	0	8	3	0	1	3

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/12/2026.

Player Overview

Derrick Moore looks to be the next Michigan edge defender to make it to the NFL following in the footsteps of Kwity Paye, Aidan Hutchinson, and Josaiah Stewart. Moore, a native of Baltimore, played at St. Frances Academy where he helped their football team to numerous winning seasons despite losing his junior

year to the pandemic. After a senior season where Moore had 55 tackles, 24 for a loss, and 12 sacks, he was named Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and MVP of the Under Armour All-American Bowl. The four-star prospect chose Michigan over the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Alabama, and Georgia.

Moore got on the field as a true freshman, seeing action in all 14 games and flashing starting ability. This earned him more playing time as a sophomore. On the way to the National Championship, Moore was named All-Big Ten honorable mention. He would earn that distinction again as a Junior. In his final year in Ann Arbor where he led the Wolverines in sacks and tackles for a loss, Moore was named first team All-Big Ten.

Strengths

• Solidly built prospect with 34” arms
• Extremely quick off the snap with good straight-line speed
• Effective outside speed rush with inside counters
• Can convert speed to power from wide alignments
• Hands are accurate and well-timed, flashing good swipes and rip moves
• High-level short-area quickness makes him dangerous running stunts
• Rarely misses a tackle

Weaknesses

• Can struggle maintaining the point of attack in the run game
• Can rely too much on speed rushes to the outside to beat tackles
• Needs to develop more moves and counters to win against NFL blockers
• Not many instances of him dropping into coverage

Let’s See His Work

How He Fits on the Commanders

The hiring of Daronte Jones to be the Commanders’ defensive coordinator hopefully means changes that lead to significant improvement. One change we might see is more 3-4 defensive alignments. Do the Commanders have the personnel for this scheme? Many of the Commanders’ edge defenders are best suited for playing 4-3 defensive end. Players like Dorance Armstrong, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Jacob Martin – who is a free agent – may be able to play this role, but could struggle with some of the responsibilities of a 3-4 end like dropping into coverage or playing in space. If a 3-4 scheme will be a more prominent part of the defense, they will need to find an OLB.

Although Derrick Moore played 4-3 defensive end at Michigan, he has a lot of the qualities of a 3-4 OLB. His rushes from wide alignments where he can win with speed or by converting his speed are qualities you often see from 3-4 OLBs. With few plays where he drops into coverage, he’ll have to show aptitude dropping into coverage and improve his strength in the run game. Even if he doesn’t, Moore still has what teams are looking for at 4-3 defensive end. If the defense will be featuring many different looks, Moore could be a valuable player for the Commanders. With an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, the question is whether Moore will be available at the Commanders’ pick in the third round. If he is, Washington should strongly consider adding him to the team.