The much-anticipated event for collegiate football players, the 2026 NFL Draft, has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Out of the 257 draft picks, edge rusher Derrick Moore heard his name being called 44th overall by the Detroit Lions. 

However, there could be some questions raised as to what kind of ‌role Moore would play for the Lions. NFL analyst Kevin Patra made a checklist for every team on April 28. He wondered whether Moore would start alongside his Wolverines' alum, Aidan Hutchinson.

“On defense, the lingering question is whether second-round pick (Derrick) Moore can start from Day 1 opposite Aidan Hutchinson and provide a consistent rush the Lions have lacked,” Patra reported.

Derrick Moore played four seasons at Ann Arbor, winning the CFP National Championship in 2023. His standout season came in 2025, when he recorded 30 combined tackles and 10 sacks. 

In the 2025 season, Aidan Hutchinson led the pass rush unit, where the Lions finished with 49 total sacks and were tied for fourth in the league. However, the problem is not the production of sacks, but inconsistencies as a unit and injury woes. 

Apart from Derrick Moore, they do have another edge pass rusher in DJ Wonnum. The front office signed the veteran in free agency, who has played six seasons in the NFL. If Moore does not have a fixed role, Wonnum can start alongside Hutchinson. 

Moore earned a 92.4 pass-rush grade, which ranked eighth among 852 qualified edge rushers. Despite the concerns, Lions' GM Brad Holmes has faith in Moore and turn his versatility into an asset for the team.

GM Brad Holmes Believes in Moore's Versatility

While the Lions do not have a role for Derrick Moore yet, Brad Holmes believes that he could play different positions. During their post-draft conference, Holmes discussed how Moore can be utilized under their defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's scheme.

"What Derrick (Moore) is going to bring to the defense is, first of all, (Aidan) Hutchinson takes a lot of snaps, so another body that literally can spell Hutchinson in that rush rotation,” Holmes stated.

The Lions' GM also praised their DC to bring out the best in their players, especially for Moore.

"Sheppard is just going to put guys in the best position to do what they do best. That's what he showed on tape is he can set edges in the run game," Holmes discussing Moore's versatility. "He can rush outside, he can rush inside. And I'm quite sure that's how Sheppard's going to utilize him."

Moore’s addition to the roster addressed a major need for the Lions. They lost edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad in free agency, who reccorded 11 sacks last season.

It is likely that Moore will make appearances in the upcoming season. It is only a matter of time the Lions finalize a role for the defender. 

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Rishab Nandi