The Detroit Lions made a bold move for their second-round selection. The Lions traded up six spots with the New York Jets to No. 44 overall to draft Michigan Edge rusher, Derrick Moore. In return for Moore, the Jets acquired the No. 50 overall pick and the No. 128 pick in the fourth round.
The Jets used the No. 50 pick acquired in the trade to select Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, a top leader for the national champion Hoosiers' defense.Â
Why Lions fans should love selection of Moore
Lions fans who also proudly rep the maize and blue are bound to love the selection of Moore, as bringing in a local product to improve their defensive pass rush, which was one of the biggest needs for Detroit entering the 2026 NFL Draft.Â
Not only did the Lions address their need to add an Edge rusher, but they now have two former Wolverines at the position, with 2022 No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson as the other. While Hutchinson and Moore did not play together at Michigan, both their talents and the school they share could create chemistry between the two on the Lions' defense.
With both being former Wolverines, expect Hutchinson to take Moore under his wing and mentor him as he prepares for his rookie season with the Lions. Moore is the Lions' second pick of the 2026 draft, as they also selected Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the No. 18 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night.
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Moore's dominant career with Michigan
Moore arrived at the Lions after a phenomenal four-year collegiate career with Michigan, in which he recorded 95 total tackles, 21 sacks, and three forced fumbles. While time will tell if Moore is the player who helps the Lions' pass rush improve, this selection is a step in the right direction, and one that Detroit desperately needed to take.Â
In his senior season with Michigan, where the Wolverines finished 9-3 overall, Moore received 2025 First Team All-Big Ten honors and was also named the Bo Schembechler MVP, recording 30 total tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles.Â
Moore was the Lions' only selection of Day 2 of the draft, as Detroit didn't own a third-round pick. The Lions' next selection will be at No. 118 overall in the fourth round on Saturday.
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