Detroit Lions: 15 best first-round draft picks of all-time

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26 Nov 1998: Quarterback Charlie Batch No. 30 and wide receiver Herman Moore No. 84 of the Detroit Lions celebrate during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Steelers 19-16. /

The Lions didn’t just achieve offensive success in the running game in the 1990s. It helped that they had one of the best wide receivers in the NFC in Herman Moore. Detroit used its No. 10 overall pick to draft the All-American wide receiver out of Virginia in the 1990 NFL Draft. For a generation, Moore was the best receiver the Lions had in franchise history.

Moore played 11 of his 12 NFL seasons with the Lions from 1991 to 2001. He would make four straight trips to the Pro Bowl from 1994 to 1997. All four seasons Moore went over 1,000 yards receiving. Twice would he lead the NFL in receptions with over 100. Moore made three straight First-Team All-Pro squads from 1995 to 1997. He would be Second-Team All-Pro in 1994.

While Moore looked to be destined for Canton, he would swiftly exit his prime after the 1997 NFL season. He would never have 1,000 receiving yards in a season or play in all 16 regular season games again. Moore would retire after the 2002 NFL season just one game with the New York Giants where he never caught a pass.

In his 11-year career with the Lions, Moore had 670 catches for 9,174 yards and 62 receiving touchdowns. These totals are stellar, but will likely have Moore forever stuck in the Hall of Very Good. Canton will presumably continue to evade Moore, but we should never forget how excellent of a receiver he was during his four-year prime in the mid-1990s with the Lions.

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