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
Lions fans who aren't familiar with college football are gonna love Derrick Moorepic.twitter.com/cWOjCKRlYx
— 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! https://t.co/148tZIVlk4 pic.twitter.com/EsHROB0a8c
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 25, 2026
Derrick Moore joins Detroit Lions, pairs with Aidan Hutchinson📸 Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images https://t.co/KISTfYhM1p pic.twitter.com/CePnV8ci4m
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.
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. https://t.co/qXbhtO9HgY
of note on the trade: Detroit jumped Baltimore and Jesse Minter, who was Moore's DC at Michigan https://t.co/0JkcXt68Xb
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) April 24, 2026
Derek Moore's arms are longer than Aidan Hutchinson's arms. And he's faster than Aidan Hutchinson.
EDGE — Derrick Moore, MichiganPFF Grade: 89.9Player 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
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"
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.