It happened. It finally happened! The Detroit Lions selected an EDGE in the first two rounds for the first time since 2022, when they selected Aidan Hutchinson. Like Hutchinson, Derrick Moore is also a product of Michigan.
That might be exactly why the Lions traded up to the #44 spot to take him.
Numerous mock drafts had Moore going around the Lions' original spot at #50 or later, which has led to some calling the Moore pick a reach. But the Lions might've had a good reason to believe Moore would've already been taken by then.
Right behind the Lions at #45 was the Baltimore Ravens, who needed a pass rush upgrade. Yet a higher-rated EDGE in Missouri's Zion Young was still on the board, whom they inevitably took. So why might the Lions feel the Ravens could've taken Moore instead? The Ravens' new coaching staff, of course.
New head coach Jesse Minter was the defensive coordinator at Michigan for two seasons from 2022 to 2023, which coincides with Moore's first two seasons at Michigan. In Moore's final two seasons, Lou Esposito was Moore's defensive line coach. Esposito now has the same role with the Ravens under Minter.
That doesn't necessarily mean the Ravens were locked into taking Moore, but it's clear the Lions really liked the Michigan standout. The Ravens, with their ties to Moore, at #45 were a clear enough threat to take him to justify a trade up. The Ravens ultimately taking Young may prove this theory correct.
The wait for an EDGE is now over
Whether you love the pick, thought it was a reach, or thought Moore could've been available after a trade-back, the fact of the matter is that the Lions now have an exciting new EDGE rusher.
The selection, for now, ends a long saga of fans and analysts practically begging general manager Brad Holmes to bring in a new long-term EDGE to partner with Hutchinson. That could've been a draft pick or a trade for someone like Maxx Crosby. Just somebody who shows that Holmes truly acknowledges the need.
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The Lions did bring in D.J. Wonnum in free agency, who will certainly play more run downs than Al-Quadin Muhammad did. Wonnum lacks Muhammad's efficiency and ability to get to the QB, but Moore strikes a good balance with his strong run defense, along with his 10.0 sacks in his last season at Michigan.
Moore won't have to shoulder the bulk of the pass rush load, as Hutchinson is one of the league's best at the position. As an EDGE2 or EDGE3, Moore will have his opportunities to get the QB and, if all goes well, take some heat away from Hutchinson.
Let's hope he does, because no ones want to be back asking for an EDGE in next year's draft.
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