Derrick Moore enters the NFL as a polished and constantly improving pass rusher, but his play against the run will be the key factor in determining whether he can become a true every-down impact player at the next level.
The Detroit Lions needed an edge rusher going into the 2025 NFL Draft, and they didn’t get one. Lions GM Brad Holmes clearly did not want to make that mistake again. He took Michigan’s Derrick Moore in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Moore fits the Lions in so many ways from what we can see. But I wanted to see what someone who covered Moore at Michigan for four years sees. So I reached out to my guy, Von Lozon of Maize n Brew , to get some answers. Here’s what he had to say:
“Moore consistently improved his arsenal of pass rush moves over the course of his time in Ann Arbor. Early in his career, he relied more on his athleticism and effort to produce pressures and sacks, but each season that passed by, he showcased more moves while having better hand usage and counters. By the time last season rolled around, he seemed to have everything dialed in and was far and away Michigan's best edge rusher.”
“Moore isn't a bad run defender, but he will definitely need to improve that part of his game at the next level. He's an elite pass rusher and is really good at getting after the quarterback, but setting the edge in the run game should be a point of emphasis before the season starts. He is able to properly disengage from offensive linemen and make plays on running backs and scrambling quarterbacks, but this area certainly needs improvement, especially if he is to be an every-down player for Detroit.”
“Derrick Moore fits the Lions' culture perfectly. He was voted by his peers to be a team captain at Michigan last season, which says a lot about how he was viewed in the locker room. He's known as a high-effort player who practices hard and gives it his all every single day. Those are the exact traits that Dan Campbell and his staff value, especially in a young player.”
“Given his size and athleticism, I could see him being a decent SAM linebacker in the NFL, but I still think his highest potential is along the edge. He did have some coverage snaps in college, most of them coming in the past couple of seasons under Wink Martindale.
While he wasn't bad in that role, taking away a really, really good pass rusher from getting after the quarterback is not something I personally would want to do a lot of. It wouldn't surprise me to see him receive some situational snaps in that role, but make no mistake, Moore is at his best off the edge.”
Detroit Lions News
Mike Payton May 4, 2026
