Charlie Campbell
Solid Starter
Derrick Moore, DE, Michigan – Round 2 
The Lions have been needing a pass rusher to go across from Aidan Hutchinson over the past few seasons. Marcus Davenport was a big disappointment for Detroit, and the Lions needed more explosive rush talent off the edge. With their second selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Detroit aimed to get a solution with another Michigan man.
Moore was a backup during his first two seasons with the Wolverines, including the 2023 National Championship team, when he contributed 34 tackles and five sacks with a forced fumble. As a junior in 2024, Moore took over as a starting edge rusher and totaled 23 tackles with six tackles for a loss, four sacks, and two passes batted. In 2025, Moore showed his pass-rushing ability with 10 sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss, three passes batted, two forced fumbles, and 30 tackles. After the season, Moore had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl.
For the NFL, Moore is a dangerous edge rusher who is a speed threat off the edge. Moore has a nice burst off the ball and is fast to run the arc around offensive tackles. Moore will crash down on quarterbacks in a blur, and he puts a lot of pressure on edge blockers and the quarterback. With some speed to power, Moore shows the ability to slap with his hands while using his feet at the same time to work upfield and get off blocks. Moore looks like a good fit to rotate into the game and rush the quarterback in the sub package.
As a run defender, Moore (6-3, 250) battles and competes hard for his size. He does a nice job of setting the edge for an undersized run defender, but those issues will need work for the NFL.
Given his size limitations, I think Moore might top out as more of a solid starter rather than being a boom pick. But I do think he is going to be a good rusher and a productive complement to Hutchinson.
2025: Tate Ratledge, G
2024: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB
2023: Jack Campbell, LB
2022: Aidan Hutchinson, DE
2021: Levi Onwuzurike, DT
2020: D’Andre Swift, RB
2019: Austin Bryant, DE
2018: Frank Ragnow, C
2017: Jalen Tabor, CB
2016: Taylor Decker, OT
2015: Laken Tomlinson, G
2014: Travis Swanson, C
2013: Darius Slay, CB
Most Likely To Bust
NONEThe Lions were without a pair of third-round picks from the Isaac TeSlaa trade in 2025. I do not think Blake Miller or Derrick Moore will be a bust for Detroit, and if a third-day pick doesn’t pan out, that is not a true bust as most day-three picks don’t stick in the NFL. Thus, I don’t see a pick with true bust potential for Detroit.
2025: Isaac TeSlaa, WR
2024: None
2023: Hendon Hooker, QB
2022: Malcolm Rodriguez, LB
2021: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB
2020: Jonah Jackson, G
2019: Will Harris, S
2018: Tracy Walker, S
2017: Michael Roberts, TE
2016: A’Shawn Robinson, DT
2015: Alex Carter, CB
2014: Eric Ebron, TE
2013: Ezekiel Ansah, DE
Potential Boom Pick
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson – Round 1 
One of the biggest differences between the Lions team that went 15-2 in 2024 and the one that went 9-8 in 2025 was the declining play of the offensive line. For a number of years, Detroit had the best offensive line in the league. But they lost Frank Ragnow to retirement, Jonah Jackson left in free agency, and Taylor Decker was physically diminished in his final season with the Lions. They went about fixing the issues with signing Cade Mays in free agency, adding some good veteran depth, and then drafting Miller in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
As a pass blocker, Miller is gifted as he combines length, strength, quickness, and technique. With quick enough feet, Miller is able to get depth in his drop to take away the edge from speed rushers, and his long frame makes it hard for defenders to get around him. With enough strength in his base, Miller can anchor against bull rushes, and he is able to bend at the knee. At times, Miller opens up his chest too much, and he gets in trouble when he stands up too high, but those issues are correctable.
In the ground game, Miller has some real nastiness to him. Miller can knock defenders out of their gap and ride them around the field. He blocks through the whistle and is physical at the point of attack. Miller is quick out of his stance and can get to blocks on the second level, so that, combined with his drive block ability, makes Miller a good fit for either a zone blocking or power man scheme in the NFL.
The Lions have a great situation for Miller with one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL, Hank Fraley. They also have an elite left tackle and leader in Penei Sewell to help Miller, while Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs also help consistently bailing out their line when a block is missed. I think Miller has boom pick potential to be a possible Pro Bowl right tackle for Detroit.
2025: Tyleik Williams, DT
2024: Terrion Arnold, CB
2023: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB
2022: Jameson Williams, WR
2021: Penei Sewell, OT
2020: Jeff Okudah, CB
2019: T.J. Hockenson, TE
2018: Kerryon Johnson, RB
2017: Jarrad Davis, LB
2016: Graham Glasgow, C
2015: Ameer Abdullah, RB
2014: Kyle Van Noy, LB
2013: Larry Warford, G
Future Depth Player
Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan – Round 4 The Lions were in need of some linebacker depth after losing veteran Alex Anzalone in free agency. They are set with Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes as the top two linebackers. Malcolm Rodriguez could be the other starting linebacker when they are in base, but they need depth for injury, and Rolder should be able to provide them with a good backup right away. Last year, he was very instinctive as a run defender and showed impressive physicality with how he would take on blocks. Rolder should help them on base to give them a physical linebacker to platoon with Rodriguez. In the long-term, Rolder might emerge as a starter, but he should at least be a good backup linebacker and special teams contributor.
2025: Myles Frazier, G
2024: Giovanni Manu, OT
2023: Brodric Martin, DT
2022: James Mitchell, TE
2021: Alim McNeill, DT
2020: Julian Okwara, OLB
2019: Amani Oruwariye, CB
2018: Da’Shawn Hand, DE
2017: Brad Kaaya, QB
2016: Miles Killebrew, S
2015: Quandre Diggs, CB
2014: Larry Webster, DE
2013: Devin Taylor, DE
Walt
