5 things to know about Detroit Lions new EDGE Derrick Moore

TL;DR

The Detroit Lions drafted EDGE Derrick Moore from Michigan, known for his strong pass-rushing abilities and run defense. He had a standout 2025 season and impressed at the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Key points

Derrick Moore was drafted by the Detroit Lions.
He had the highest pressure percentage in the Big Ten in 2025.
Moore excelled at the 2026 Senior Bowl practices.
He received multiple accolades during his time at Michigan.
Moore overcame a difficult childhood in Baltimore.

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Derrick MooreDetroit LionsMichigan Wolverines

Dec 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (8) celebrates after sacking Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill (10) during the second half of the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images On Friday night, the Detroit Lions filled another big need by drafting Michigan edge defender Derrick Moore. The physically imposing defender will be familiar to a lot of local Wolverines fans, but in case you don’t follow college football, here are five things to know about the newest Detroit Lion. **1. He was VERY disruptive as a pass rusher in 2025** While Moore’s profile is more about power and edge setting in the run game, he racked up some serious pressure for the Wolverines in 2025. Per Dane Brugler, Moore had the highest pressure percentage last year among all Big Ten players (17.5%). And here’s a clip from The Ringer’s profile on Moore:

“He was ridiculously effective when asked to pin his ears back and get after the passer, finishing last season with a 36 percent win rate in true pass rush situations, per PFF, which ranked 10th among edge players with 100 pass rush reps.” Oh, and his PFF pass rushing grade in 2025 was 92.4. **2. He kicked all sorts of ass at the 2026 Senior Bowl practices** Moore was a highlight machine down in Mobile for the All-Star practices. Here are just a few reps: The same rep from another angle: Here’s him blowing up a TE: Moore was listed as a on , and you can read about with . **3. He’s a STRONG edge setter** Unsurprisingly, a defensive end the Lions drafted can hold up extremely well in the run game. Moore uses long arm length and an unselfish attitude to attack the edge physically. He posted a 76.3 PFF grade as a run defender last year, an improvement from his 65.3 mark in his other year in the starting lineup for the Wolverines. He’s not a finished product when it comes to his technical pieces, but his demeanor, grit, and physical nature will make him a natural edge setter in . **4. He racked up a ton of accolades at Michigan** Despite not being a full-time starter in 2023, he earned a share of Defensive Player of the Week five times and was an honorable mention for All-Big Ten. Then, in his breakout 2025 season, he posted a ton of hardware, including:

Q&A

What were Derrick Moore's stats during the 2025 college football season?

In the 2025 season, Derrick Moore had a pressure percentage of 17.5%, the highest among Big Ten players, and a PFF pass rushing grade of 92.4.

How did Derrick Moore perform at the 2026 Senior Bowl?

Derrick Moore was recognized as a Day 1 winner at the 2026 Senior Bowl, showcasing his skills and dominating during the practices.

What accolades did Derrick Moore achieve while at Michigan?

Moore earned several accolades, including First-Team All-Big Ten, Michigan's Defensive Player of the Year, and was voted captain by his teammates.

What challenges did Derrick Moore face growing up?

Derrick Moore grew up in Baltimore with a challenging upbringing, including having a father who spent 21 years in prison, which contributed to his emotional intelligence and maturity.