My biggest wild card of the Detroit Lions' 2026 defense is rookie EDGE Derrick Moore from Michigan. By wild card, I mean a player who is unproven but has the ceiling to make a team-changing difference.
For years, the Lions have been in need of a pass-rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson. They have tried veteran stopgaps like Marcus Davenport and had brief flashes with James Houston. What the team needs is a long-term, young, productive EDGE player, which is where the 23-year-old Moore comes in.
Moore missed the Lions' first preseason game with a minor groin injury. He played in the Lions' second preseason game versus the Washington Commanders and had this to say afterwards.
"It felt good just to be back out here, good having the pads back on. Even
being back in practice it's felt good. I got to get my legs back underneath myself and play more disciplined football," Moore said.
Derrick Moore on playing his first game @fordfield pic.twitter.com/H2X5JJbUDB
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 22, 2026
At Michigan, Moore accumulated 21 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 24.5 tackles for loss in four years. In the Lions' second preseason game, Moore recorded a sack, forced fumble and a tackle for loss.
"That was good to see... I just know with him he's another young guy who the more reps, the better he's going to get," Campbell said of Moore after its preseason win over the Commanders.
That's the kind of production Lions fans are hoping for during the regular season. If Moore can deliver that, it will be a game changer for a Detroit defense that is dealing with a secondary weakened by injury.
Moore loved getting his first opportunity to play at Ford Field, too.
"Man, it's amazing. I played at the Big House... I love the energy and I'm just ready to be here for the season," Moore said.
Moore is currently dealing with another undisclosed injury that has sidelined him from Detroit's final two training camp practices, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn't seem overly concerned ahead of Thursday's practice. Per Campbell, Moore could be back on the field as early as next week.
That likely rules Moore out of the Lions' final 2026 preseason game, though. Detroit wraps its 2026 preseason slate with a Saturday date at the Indianapolis Colts at 1 p.m. ET.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions rookie EDGE Derrick Moore can be Detroit's defensive wild card
