Tomorrow, we’ll get our first public hint at whether the Detroit Lions have found a proper running mate for Aidan Hutchinson.
Second round rookie Derrick Moore is expected to make his preseason debut in the Lions’ exhibition game against the Washington Commanders. It’ll be his first chance to show what he can bring to the table in a game setting.
“It can help me a lot, just getting back into the rhythm,” Moore said of playing in the preseason game. “I've been out for two weeks, so getting back into the rhythm, being able to go against different competition and seeing different looks and different things like that– just showing everybody what I'm capable of doing.”
Moore missed some time early in camp with a groin strain. It was frustrating for him to miss valuable reps that early in camp, but he’s been making his presence felt since his return.
Moore had a pair of sacks during Wednesday’s practice, teaming up with Aidan Hutchinson on one and Alim McNeill on the other. It’s exactly what the Lions want to see out of their highest-drafted edge rusher since 2022.
We are, of course, talking about a rookie here. It wouldn’t be right to expect a 30-plus, eight sack season from Moore right out of the gate.
But if he can come in, assume a role and provide impact plays at a position of need for Detroit, it would change this defense.
Moore set to debut against Commanders with all eyes on the rookie
Moore had few holes in his game on the edge at Michigan. He set a forceful edge against the run, and had nice speed to power chops as a pass rusher. He was highly productive his last year as a Wolverine, leading the team in sacks, (10.5), tackles for loss (10.5) and forced fumbles (two). He also had the ability to kick inside on passing downs.
The Lions have spent Aidan Hutchinson’s entire career looking for an edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson. They signed Marcus Davenport, a powerful edge setter who couldn’t stay healthy.
Fellow 2022 Josh Paschal had intriguing skills as a versatile rusher but his career was also derailed by injury. Bargain free agent pickup Al-Quadin Muhammad recorded 11.5 sacks last season, but struggled with consistency and was hardly playable against the run.
There is arguably not a player in the NFL more singularly responsible for his team’s total pass rush production than Hutchinson. Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the star’s high motor and unwillingness to come off the field, but also said the Lions could only benefit from taking more off Hutchinson’s plate.
“That's why it's important for a guy like Derrick Moore to come on,” Campbell said. “ He just got back, and he's gotten two good days of work. That's positive, but he's got a long way to go. He just needs reps.”
“Derrick Moore needs reps, but we like what we’ve seen for the limited amount of snaps he's had so far. But it'll be big.”
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The Lions’ defensive line room looks deeper and more versatile than it’s been recently. McNeill is looking like his old self. Guys like Tyleik Williams, Tyler Lacy, D.J. Wonnum, Levi Onwuzurikem and rookie Skyler Gill-Howard have all popped at various points in camp.
Moore might have the highest upside of them all.
“We’ve got a deep d-line room that can get to the ball,” Moore said. “So, that's my mindset on every third down, really on every passing down— just get to the ball best as I can because I know it's other guys getting there before me.”
The Lions have a shaky secondary that could be offset in parts by a disruptive pass rushing group. Moore looks like he’s front and center in that plan.
We’ll get our first chance to see what it could look like Saturday.
“I feel like coach, he looks at me as a guy who can get to the ball,” Moore said. “I feel like that's what he wants to do on third down, is get to the ball. I just want to be one of them guys that he trusts.”
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