The Detroit Lions have found their pass rusher in this year's draft, selecting Michigan product Derrick Moore at 44th overall.
After a 2nd round trade with the New York Jets in exchange for their 44th pick, which sent out the Lions' 50th and 128th overall picks, the Lions finally landed an edge rusher with upside to inject alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
Detroit has now taken care of its two biggest positional needs with their first two picks in this year's draft, which is basically a dream scenario for fans looking to see the Lions take these needs seriously. Moore is also just a fun fit as he's staying put in Michigan and linking up with a former Wolverine in Hutchinson.
Lions add to pass rush with Moore selection at 44th overall
Moore had been mocked a few times to the Lions, but truthfully, any decent edge in this round was going to be a hit. While he wasn't perhaps the pass rusher fans might've been expecting to see come off the board to Detroit, he's projected to be a plus starter by NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein, with a comparison to a good pass rusher in Yaya Diaby with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Zierlein wrote of Moore:
"Moore is far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing."
READ MORE: 5 players the league will regret letting fall to the Lions on Day 2 of draft
The edge rusher finished up his last year with Michigan with a career-high 10 sacks, in addition to two forced fumbles, three passes defended, and 30 total tackles. As Zierlein mentions, he has to improve a bit as a run defender, but he has obvious upside as a pass rusher next to Hutchinson on this Lions line.
Detroit might continue to add to their defense after Moore, but with Moore and Blake Miller officially with the team, it feels like they can go best player available and get a lot more flexible on Day 3 - assuming, of course, they don't trade back in to the 3rd round.
Add us as a preferred source on Google