The Detroit Lions traded up in the 2026 NFL draft to select defensive end Derrick Moore, and it was the highest the franchise had drafted a pass rusher since nabbing Aidan Hutchinson with the second-overall pick in 2022.
Much like Hutchinson, Moore was a standout for the Michigan Wolverines, where he was able to pile up accolades rushing quarterbacks through his collegiate career. Over the last decade, Michigan has put plenty of defensive linemen into the league, and Moore is the latest success story.
Perhaps the biggest reason this is the case is Michigan had a professional feel with their last two coaches. Moore recently admitted that the Wolverines' football program allowed him for major comfort coming into the NFL.
"Being at Michigan, coming into the NFL, I wouldn't say (it's) easy, but I was really prepared for it. Coach (Jim) Harbaugh, Coach (Sherrone) Moore, they treated everything just like the NFL. They treated the entire program like an NFL program. We just mentally prepared for everything. Pretty much every Michigan guy that's in the league now was always ready for the league. So I feel like they did a good job training us to be ready for the next level."
After working with Wink Martindale in Ann Arbor, Moore feels ready to attack the league. Martindale was a defensive assistant in the NFL much of his career, and even a defensive coordinator in two stops. That makes the game plans Moore saw for Saturdays almost exactly like the ones he will see for Sundays. Already, Moore has seen that bear out within Kelvin Sheppard's scheme.
"I feel like I see everything (similar). Literally same knowledge, same everything. Almost the same system. You just got to come in and be a ball player at that point. I fit really well in the system, know the system really well. I just got to come out here and be a ball player."
Moore could have a quick leg up thanks to this fact. There will still be a learning curve for any rookie, but it isn't likely to be as steep for Moore thanks to the preparation he put in with Michigan. The knowledge he has could allow him to flourish quickly, see the field sooner and have immediate success.
Moore not thinking too far ahead about a role with Aidan Hutchinson
Considering their status as former Michigan players as well as fearsome pass rushers, most want to see Moore line up opposite Hutchinson to create a formidable 1-2 punch for Detroit. While that might be the plan down the line, neither the Lions or Moore seem ready to rush him into a particular role before the season.
Moore himself admitted that while it's a tempting thought to play next to his former college teammate, he is more focused on doing whatever he can to help the Lions be successful on defense next season first and foremost.
READ MORE: Dan Jackson is poised to give Lions versatility they've been desperately missing
"I'm not really trying to think too much about it. I feel like a lot of people always talk about how it feels to be with (Aidan) Hutchinson. It'd be honor playing with Hutchinson, but at the end of the day, as a unit, we're just trying to be the best in the country, in the league really. (Our goal is) just go out and dominate together as a unit."
This is a very mature approach for a rookie to have at this point of his career. While Moore and Hutchinson are likely to work well together given their familiarity and similarity, it is smart for the Lions to see what happens in terms of roles developing on the roster. Detroit also has veteran DJ Wonnum looking to cement a role alongside Hutchinson.
Whatever role Moore sees, he's likely to be able to attack it in a positive way thanks to his background. That's a credit to Michigan's coaching staff who prepared both him and Hutchinson for their NFL future.
Add us as a preferred source on Google