The first Michigan Wolverine is officially off the board in the 2026 NFL draft, and to no one's surprise, it was star edge rusher Derrick Moore who was first selected. Though the maize and blue did not have a first-rounder in this year's draft, they didn't have to wait very long into day two in order to hear a Wolverine's name called, nor will Moore have to travel very far.
The Detroit Lions traded with the New York Jets to move up for the No. 44 pick to select the in-state standout. Moore will end up pairing with another former Wolverine in Aidan Hutchinson, a player he eventually replaced in Ann Arbor, as there will be Michigan football bookends on the Lions' defensive line. With 10 sacks last year, Moore was en route to nearly reaching the sack record set by Hutchinson in his senior year with the Wolverines.
Naturally, a lot of national and local media had some big reactions to the news, hailing the pick as a great one for the Honolulu Blue. Here are the top media reactions, as well as those from the Lions and Michigan.
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
Michigan football edge Derrick Moore is staying in the mitten. Lions trade up to No. 44 to nab the U-M standout.He’s the first Wolverine off the board in 2026. pic.twitter.com/66W4XQr2Ew
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) April 24, 2026
And there's your edge. Lions trade up in the second round to grab Michigan's Derrick Moore. If you're keeping track, that's bookend UM players on the Lions defensive line, with Hutchinson. Lions took him a little higher than he was projected.
Lions get an EDGEDetroit now has bookend Michigan EDGE rushers https://t.co/d1t1UNxJiF
"Defensive end from Michigan. I think that's worked out well in the past. "How about the power and the bull rush that he possesses? You see it in every single game. He's going to test your brakes. He's going to put his hands on your chest, and he's going to try to run you right… https://t.co/mUWzcJRPwR
The Lions first two picks in the 2026 NFL Draft:✔️ O-Line✔️ EDGEBrad Holmes addressing two key positions of need pic.twitter.com/QPlrpOsNvW
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.
Hell yeah. A legit chance to be a better pro than college player and he was very good at Michigan. https://t.co/0HhyZgQsu9
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
The best in Michigan stay in Michigan! https://t.co/cMfhYGjnIj
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 24, 2026
Like the Lions grabbing Michigan’s Derrick Moore. Coaches I spoke to love his style and toughness: “He’s a Jonah Elliss type. So physical. He wants all the smoke. He can be a SAM backer in a 3-4. In a 4-3, he’ll set edges and will bang heads all day.”
Derrick Moore's first-step quicks opposite Aidan Hutchinson will play really well. 10 sacks, 10 TFLs last year. Let him cook in space.
Derrick Moore to Detroit here is very interesting, especially with the trade upI'm surprised the Lions moved up for him specifically. Love his speed-to-power and quickness off the line of scrimmage, but I had higher grades on a few other dudes still on the board
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Reactions: Detroit Lions pick Michigan football EDGE Derrick Moore