The Detroit Lions finally got themselves an edge defender, but the jury is still out on whether the team capitalized on their second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Michigan’s Derrick Moore is considered a well-rounded player, but maybe one without a clear calling card. His pass rushing production was ridiculous in 2025, but his technique is a little unrefined, and his bag of moves is relatively shallow.
As a run defender, there is no issue with effort or power, but, again, there’s just a desire
to want more out of him given his atlethic profile.
When it comes to 2026 NFL Draft grades, experts are all over the place with this pick. Some love the pairing with Aidan Hutchinson, noting that his physical play style should help completement the team’s pass rush perfectly. Others believe there was better talent on the board, and Moore didn’t warrant a trade up. Though it’s worth noting the local analysts seem to like the pick a lot more than the national writers.
Here’s full recap of the Lions’ Day 2 draft grades, listed in order of best grade to worst.
The Athletic (Nick Baumgardner, Scott Dochterman): A
Detroit moved up six spots and jumped Moore’s former college defensive coordinator, new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, to snag the explosive, long-armed edge rusher. This pick makes so much sense—Moore will add juice to a defensive front that needed someone to win one-on-ones opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
Moore is nothing if not a culture fit for the Lions. The man treats every rep like he’s upset at the offensive lineman in front of him. While he’s a middling athlete, he maximizes his traits through sheer force and effort.
The Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer): B
The Lions add some needed quickness and power for a pass rusher to better complement fellow former Wolverines star Aidan Hutchinson. He can still tap into more production potential by getting key situational snaps.
Sports Illustrated (Matt Verderame): B
At 6′ 4″ and 255 pounds, Moore is the perfect size for a sturdy edge rusher who needs to work on his technique against the run.
How he fits with the Lions: The Lions have desperately needed some young talent to pair with defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, and Detroit is hoping it has found the answer. Like Hutchinson, Moore is a former Wolverine who can turn the corner and give defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard an answer if Hutchinson is double-teamed.
Bleacher Report (Brent Sobleski): B
The Detroit Lions have been searching for a bookend defense end since Ziggy Ansah played for the franchise. Now into the fourth year of Aidan Hutchinson’s career, the Lions may have found the solution with another former Michigan Wolverine, Derrick Moore.
The Lions finally find their pass rusher to play across from Aiden Hutchinson, and they’re double-dipping on the Michigan guys. Biggest knock here is that I’m not sure what the Lions saw on the board that made them felt the need to trade up. Moore was much lower on the consensus board than a lot of guys still out there, and I don’t know that they needed to jump up to get him. I think there were better players out there, but I cant deny the vision. — JD
The Lions traded a fourth-round pick to the Jets to move up for Moore, a powerful rusher who can complement his fellow former Wolverine, Aidan Hutchinson. Detroit had a big need on the edge, and I believe Moore would have been picked by someone else if GM Brad Holmes had not traded up, so the price was reasonable.
Yahoo Sports (Charles McDonald): C+
Moore doesn’t play with great technique but he doesn’t get moved much off the ball. He is NFL strong and already has the size necessary to compete in the league. He has a ways to go in terms of consistent technique, but he’s got a chance.
USA Today (Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz): C-
Well, Dan Campbell certainly has a type. Moore is ultra-physical and persistent, and he can be counted on to hold up against both the run and pass. But he might not be sufficiently dynamic to finish off plays in the backfield beyond clean-up work. This felt a bit high for him, especially in a trade-up scenario.
Local writers
Detroit Free Press (Carlos Monarrez): A
The Lions had a gaping hole to fill with the departure of Al-Quadin Muhammad and the 11 sacks he produced last season. This is an assertive attempt to make up that crucial production and take some of the pressure off Aidan Hutchinson.
Detroit News (Nolan Bianchi): A-
After watching Holmes thrive in the draft via his best-player-available philosophy, we’re hesitant to blindly grade a selection based on filling a need. But again, Moore fits what the Lions are trying to do and has an excellent track record of past production, plus high football character. Holmes identified the player he wanted and decisively made the move to land him — all while filling a need, and according to the Rich Hill trade chart, getting exactly even value on the move.
Sports Illustrated (Vito Chirco): B+
Moore still has room to refine his game, specifically as a run defender. And if he finds a way to improve his ability against the run, he will become an EDGE capable of playing all three downs at a high level.
Pride of Detroit (Brandon Knapp): B+
When it comes to the pick, it was a good choice by the Lions to give them another pass rusher to pair with Hutchinson. The 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 him more. This also helps the interior defensive line, which has been doing its best to supply pressure and give the defense more of an identity on the line.
