The Detroit Lions traded up to pick No. 44 in the 2026 NFL Draft to select EDGE Derrick Moore from Michigan, sending their No. 50 and No. 128 picks to the Jets. Fans reacted positively, expressing excitement about adding Moore to bolster the defense alongside Aidan Hutchinson.
In a bit of a surprise move by general manager Brad Holmes during the early portion of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions made a significant move, trading up to pick No. 44 overall, where they selected Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore. The trade the Lions made was with the Jets, in which Detroit sent its No. 50 and No. 128 overall picks to New York in exchange for pick No. 44. Obviously, the trade itself drew plenty of social media reaction, but the selection of the Wolverines star only ballooned the excitement from fans asking for a defensive weapon to aid Aidan Hutchinson on the opposite side of the defensive line. Here's how fans reacted to Holmes and the Lions' big move to go snag Derrick Moore:
If Brad Holmes is trading up, you don't ask questions. You just get excited. Motor City Moore has a nice ring to it
— drop shot🎾 (@Inaamten) April 25, 2026 Brad cooking 🤔
— THE RED RANGER (@THEREDRANGER3) April 24, 2026 fleeced the jets
— freon∞ (@tatertotperson) April 25, 2026 Lions fans who aren't familiar with college football are gonna love Derrick Moorepic.twitter.com/cWOjCKRlYx
— Undaunted (@NvictusManeo) April 24, 2026 pic.twitter.com/chV6LDLsxf
The Lions traded up to pick No. 44 to secure Derrick Moore, aiming to strengthen their defense with a talented EDGE player.
The Lions sent their No. 50 and No. 128 overall picks to the Jets in exchange for the No. 44 pick to select Moore.
Derrick Moore is known for his strong bull rush, motor, and unselfish play against the run, making him a valuable addition to the Lions' defense.
Moore's addition is expected to complement Aidan Hutchinson, enhancing the Lions' defensive line and overall pass rush capabilities.
Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda each hit two home runs as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-2. Drew Rasmussen earned the win, allowing one earned run over five innings.
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— Rhys Alan Jones (@RhysAlanJones) April 24, 2026 Whatupdoe Megatron‼️ pic.twitter.com/F8Sew8wR8b
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 25, 2026 pic.twitter.com/oITD82gghG
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 25, 2026 Derrick Moore is staying home! pic.twitter.com/1U6YvqxorU
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 24, 2026 The @Lions are getting another good one! pic.twitter.com/EsHROB0a8c
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 25, 2026 Derrick Moore joins Detroit Lions, pairs with Aidan Hutchinson
📸 Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images pic.twitter.com/CePnV8ci4m
— WolverinesWire (@wolverineswire) April 25, 2026 Derrick Moore is the first edge the Lions have drafted on Day 1 or 2 since 2022, when they selected Aidan Hutchinson and Josh Paschal. A stylistic fit in every way, Moore possesses a strong bull rush, motor, power and an unselfish mentality against the run.
Lions get their guy.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton\_pouncy) April 25, 2026 Derrick Moore is definitely a Dan Campbell kind of player. Never had the biggest sack numbers at Michigan but he’s looking to hit somebody on every snap.
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) April 24, 2026 of note on the trade: Detroit jumped Baltimore and Jesse Minter, who was Moore's DC at Michigan
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 24, 2026 Derek Moore's arms are longer than Aidan Hutchinson's arms. And he's faster than Aidan Hutchinson.
— RICO TO TREASON (@F1sT) April 25, 2026 EDGE — Derrick Moore, Michigan
PFF Grade: 89.9
Player Summary:
This season, Derrick Moore has a true pass set pass rush grade of 93.9, an 19.8% pass rush win rate, 11 sacks, and a 16.5% pressure rate. Prior to this season, he was mainly used as a rotational edge rusher, but… pic.twitter.com/85BMoyStqz
— FNF NFL (@fnfantasyleeg) April 24, 2026 All you need to know about why the Lions picked Derrick Moore, from @dpbrugler
"Physical edge setter — not a selfish player in the run game"
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) April 25, 2026 Lions are 2-for-2 here imo. Blake Miller and Derrick Moore will be starters next year sooner rather than later. Both positions of need.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 24, 2026 Brad Holmes coming downstairs at the end of the night after drafting a tackle and an edge when they needed a tackle and an edge pic.twitter.com/iCJdG7NGNW
— Colton Pouncy (@colton\_pouncy) April 25, 2026 Aidan Hutchinson 🤝 Derrick Moore pic.twitter.com/aVS3NHDUYg
— Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) April 25, 2026 Nasty Derrick Moore stat from @ringer:
“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.“
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) April 25, 2026 Derrick Moore is bringing big energy to the league 🔥 @Big8DMoore
2026 NFL Draft – April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/T5K60E02EX
— NFL (@NFL) April 8, 2026 *For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like*. **Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews** *This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Fans react as Lions trade up with Jets, select Derrick Moore*