For the fifth time in his six drafts as Detroit Lions general manager, Brad Holmes has made a trade in the second round.
With their offensive line set, the Lions opened Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft by focusing on defense, selecting Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore with the 44th overall pick of the draft in the second round.
The Lions moved up six spots in the 2026 NFL draft Friday, April 24, sending their second-round pick – No. 50 overall – as well as Pick No. 128 to the New York Jets for Pick No. 44.
Moore joins a defense that ranked 18th in total defense and 22nd in points allowed last season. He will rush opposite his fellow Michigan alum, Aidan Hutchinson.
What did Derrick Moore do at Michigan?
Moore, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher was one of the most effective Wolverines in 2025, recording 30 tackles (including 10½ for loss) and 10 sacks to go with three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
That included a three-game stretch in the middle of the season – against Washington, Michigan State and Purdue – in which he had two sacks in each game.
“He one of the hardest working guys in the building,” fellow defensive lineman Tré Williams said of Moore last fall. “One of the best leaders I’ve ever been around, and somebody who, from what I’ve known, has really grown up into that role. He might not have always been that, but for the nine, ten months I’ve been here, he’s been the epitome of a Michigan man.”
The Baltimore native broke onto the scene in Michigan’s 2023 College Football Playoff season, when he appeared in all 15 games at edge rusher and also contributed on special teams and made 34 tackles (with six for loss) plus five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery (returned for a touchdown), four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
Moore is the sixth former U-M defensive lineman taken in the past three NFL drafts.
What did experts think of Derrick Moore pick?
USA TODAY Sports’ Ayton Ostly: “Took a huge step forward in 2025. Wins with speed-to-power thanks to his burst off the line. Ideal pad level as a rusher. Added pass rush moves in 2025 and paid off with 10 sacks and 41 pressures, both career-highs. Lacks ideal bend and can struggle in run defense with a lack of pop in his hands.”
Detroit Lions picks in 2026 draft
The Lions opened the draft by taking Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th pick of the first round. Miller is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job this fall on a line that could have new starters in four different positions.
All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell is expected to move to the left side, free agent addition Cade Mays takes over at center, Miller will compete with Larry Borom for the right tackle job and while the Lions return starting guards Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany they could have an open competition for the left guard spot.
The Lions do not have a third-round pick but have six picks remaining on Day 3 of the draft: Two in Rounds 5 and 6 and one in Round 4 and one in Round 7.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions trade up to take Michigan DE Derrick Moore with No. 44 pick in NFL Draft
Reporting by Dave Birkett and Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
