You know that feeling when you’ve been following an NFL franchise for years, maybe even decades, and that team keeps making the same mistakes, over and over? That’s an affliction that the Detroit Lions broke during the NFL Draft.
After years of fans, and NFL analysts, begging the Lions to get a reliable, steady, consistent edge-rusher to pair with superstar Aidan Hutchinson, they did it.
The Lions traded up to add an EDGE early in the 2026 NFL Draft in Michigan standout Derrick Moore at No. 44.
What makes this pick even better is that the Lions went with a player out of the University of Michigan, just like they did when they drafted Hutchinson. Having two defensive ends who hail from the Wolverines is an added bonus. Plus, these two can bond over their memories and dedication to the maize and blue.
Detroit Lions get ‘A-‘ grade for 2026 NFL Draft class
Speaking of that Moore pick, the Lions are coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft with good grades. In an April 25 feature for NFL.com, Chad Reuter gives the franchise an “A-“ for its draft class, and part of that has to do with Moore.
“(Blake) Miller came out of Clemson as a solid, experienced tackle — then showed above-average athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, likely clinching his status as a top-25 pick,” Reuter states in the piece. “He meets Detroit’s need for a tackle after Taylor Decker’s exit. The Lions sent a fourth-round pick to the Jets so they could pair bullish pass rusher Derrick Moore with fellow former Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson.”
That “A-” grade is earned most by the Moore pick. After years of deprioritizing the edge position, general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell finally snagged a franchise EDGE to pair with Hutchinson, and that’s something to celebrate.