With the 2026 NFL Draft quickly approaching, Detroit Lions supporters are anxious to see what general manager Brad Holmes has planned for the team’s selections. After a free-agency period that produced mixed reactions from the fan base, Detroit will be hoping to come away from the draft with another strong class that can help push the team back into playoff contention.

In a recent projection of the first 100 picks from Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic, the Lions are predicted to select Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore with the 50th overall pick in the second round.

Although Moore did not overlap in college with former Wolverines star Aidan Hutchinson during his time in Ann Arbor from 2022 through 2026, Detroit could still add another Michigan Wolverines product to its defensive front.

How Moore might fit in Detroit

Across four seasons at Michigan, Moore built an impressive résumé. Along with helping the Wolverines capture a national championship during his sophomore campaign, he totaled 95 tackles, 21 sacks, and three forced fumbles. In recent seasons, Lions fans have been eager for the team to strengthen its pass rush beyond Hutchinson’s production.

Moore could potentially become part of that solution. His ability to pressure quarterbacks may help boost Detroit’s defensive front, and his background as a Michigan standout would likely make him a popular pick among the fan base. During free agency, the Lions also brought in two additional edge rushers in hopes of improving their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks, an area that struggled throughout the 2025 season.

Detroit signed former Carolina Panthers edge defender D. J. Wonnum as well as Payton Turner, who previously played for the New Orleans Saints. Both players agreed to one-year contracts. Their additions came after pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad departed in free agency to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If Detroit ultimately uses the 50th pick on Moore, it will be worth watching how he fits into the Lions’ rotation alongside the new additions to the edge group. His arrival could add another layer to the team’s pass-rush plans for the upcoming season.

Following a 9–8 record in 2025—along with a last-place finish in the NFC North after previously winning the division two straight years—the Lions are focused on returning to the postseason. Strengthening the defense and adding depth at key positions will likely remain a priority for Holmes as the team builds toward a bounce-back campaign.