Derrick Moore NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Detroit Lions Edge

Matt HolderDec 4, 2025

The Detroit Lions selected Michigan Edge Derrick Moore with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Derrick Moore is a well-put-together pass-rusher who did an excellent job of expanding his repertoire this season to have an impressive senior year. The 6'3", 260-pound edge defender went from winning almost exclusively with speed to power to adding a nice inside counter move and becoming more explosive this season.

Moore went to Michigan as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class and was a contributor off the bench, collecting a couple of sacks as a true freshman.

He got more playing time in Year 2, becoming an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection with 34 tackles, six tackles for loss, five sacks and two passes defended for the National Champs.

As a junior, the Baltimore, Maryland native became a starter and received honorable mention All-Big Ten honors again, collecting 23 tackles, six TFLs, four sacks and two PDs. This year, he cracked double digits in sacks (10), had 30 tackles, 10.5 TFLs and 3 PDs, earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

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Where He Wins

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- Moore has solid size and frame, and has good arm length.

- Acceleration off the line of scrimmage improved in 2025 to help threaten offensive tackles with speed and get them to open their hips.

- Good at turning speed to power as a pass-rusher, using good pad level and tight hands to get three points of contact on the offensive tackle. Also, keeps his feet moving through contact to collapse the pocket.

- Has shown a solid long arm move as a change up to shorten the corner around the edge, and has the change of direction to win with an inside counter move.

- Decent at working the offensive lineman's hands to win inside or outside against tackles.

- Comfortable dropping into coverage and has enough athleticism to spot drop occassionally.

- Against the run, he's physical at the point of attack and has enough strength to beat blocks from tight ends.

- Solid speed and doesn't get too far up the field to make tackles near the line of scrimmage when unblocked on the backside of zone runs.

Areas of Improvement

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- Isn't much of a factor as a run defender; Michigan often took Moore out of the game in key run situations.

- Doesn't have much pop behind his hands when taking on blocks as a run defender, making it difficult for him to get extension against offensive tackles.

- Will struggle to set the edge consistently against offensive linemen at the next level. While he's good at turning speed to power as a pass-rusher, he has subpar strength when he can't build up a head of steam and has to take on blocks at the line of scrimmage.

- The lack of extension and subpar strength can also lead to him getting stuck on blocks against offensive linemen.

- Hips and ankles look a little stiff, leading to questionable bend to corner at the top of the rush.