Full Breakdown
Detroit Lions Trade Up for Michigan Edge Rusher Derrick Moore in 2026 NFL Draft
4/25/2026, 9:21:20 PM
Lions Secure Edge Rusher Derrick Moore with a Trade-Up
On Friday, April 24, 2026, the Detroit Lions used the 44th overall selection in the second round of the NFL Draft to select Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore. The move required the Lions to trade up six spots, positioning Moore as the team’s top edge-rusher target entering the second day of the draft. Moore posted 10 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in the 2025 season and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Draft Context: First-Round Selection and Remaining Picks
Earlier on Thursday, the Lions had selected Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller with the 17th overall pick, adding a veteran-grade lineman from Strongsville, Ohio. The Lions had previously made seven selections in the 2025 draft, underscoring a pattern of active roster building. After the Moore selection, Detroit entered Day 3 with six remaining selections: a fourth-round pick at No. 118, two fifth-round picks at Nos. 157 and 181, sixth-round picks at Nos. 205 and 213 and a seventh-round pick at No. 222.
Trade Mechanics and Draft Capital Exchanged
The Lions acquired the No. 44 slot from the New York Jets by trading up six positions. One source reports the trade cost Detroit a fourth-round selection (the 128th overall pick). Another source adds that Detroit also surrendered a 2026 second-round pick in addition to the fourth-rounder. The exact composition of the compensation remains disputed across the reports.
Official Comments from GM Brad Holmes
Six-year general manager Brad Holmes described Derrick Moore as his top edge-rusher entering Day 2 of the draft. Reflecting on the selection process, Holmes quipped, “I guess I followed your mock,” indicating the team’s reliance on internal projections. Holmes emphasized Moore’s proven pass-rush ability and his fit alongside fellow Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson on Detroit’s defensive line.
Criticism & Opposition
None of the reviewed sources presented criticism or opposition to the Lions’ trade-up strategy or the selection of Derrick Moore.
Conflicting Reports on Trade Compensation
Source 1 (Detroit Lions official site) states the Lions surrendered only a fourth-round pick to the Jets for the No. 44 slot. In contrast, Source 3 (Fox 2 Detroit) reports that Detroit also gave up a 2026 second-round pick in addition to the fourth-rounder (identified as the 128th overall). The lack of a unified account creates uncertainty about the exact draft capital exchanged.
Verbatim Quote from GM Brad Holmes
“I guess I followed your mock.” — Brad Holmes, General Manager, Detroit Lions
What’s Next on Day 3
The six Day 3 selections, confirmed by the Lions’ draft tracker, give Detroit a total of eight picks for the 2026 draft. The Lions’ Day 3 agenda includes selections at No. 118 (fourth round), Nos. 157 and 181 (fifth round), Nos. 205 and 213 (sixth round) and No. 222 (seventh round). Analysts note the Lions may consider linebacker Kyle Louis from Pittsburgh and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State among other prospects, aiming to bolster a defense already anchored by Moore and Hutchinson.
