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Fans Thrilled Lions 'Got Hutch Help' With Derrick Moore Pick

Lions fans react to team trading up to select Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore.
Christian Booher|
American defensive end Derrick Moore (8) of Michigan.
American defensive end Derrick Moore (8) of Michigan. | Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

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Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have drafted a defensive end, and fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

With Aidan Hutchinson emerging as one of the NFL's top EDGE rushers, fans and analysts alike have clamored for the team to add another young player to their pass-rush in hopes of drawing some attention away from the former Wolverine.

On Friday, general manager Brad Holmes added another piece to the puzzle. It just so happens that the newest Lion shares an alma mater with the Pro Bowl EDGE, as the team drafted Michigan's Derrick Moore.

To get Moore, the Lions traded up six spots. They made a deal with the New York Jets, who are coached by former Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and gave up the No. 50 and No. 128 selections to make the move. The Jets took Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds with the 50th pick.

Moore fits the mold of what the Lions have desired in an EDGE opposite of Hutchinson. They desire a pocket crusher who can win off the line of scrimmage with power and speed, and Moore is exactly that.

One of Moore's top traits is his bull-rush, which should complement Hutchinson nicely working on the opposite side. He'll have to compete to start right away, as the Lions signed veteran D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal in free agency.

Moore notched 21 career sacks for the Wolverines, even though he spent the first two seasons of his career as a rotational contributor. He started for the final two years, and truly broke out with 10 sacks as a senior.

Through the first two picks, the Lions have addressed two of their biggest needs. They drafted Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller in the first-round, and Miller could start immediately as the team searches to replace veteran Taylor Decker.

Detroit's fans produced an overall positive reaction to the team drafting Moore, as they addressed a position they've been waiting to be added to. Moore is the highest defensive end drafted by the Lions since they picked Josh Paschal with the 46th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

There was some uncertainty as to whether or not the team needed to move up to get him, but the cost was relatively minor as it included their second-round pick and the fourth-round pick they got in the David Montgomery trade.

"Brad finally did what should've been done 3 years ago," one fan wrote. "He got Hutch some help."

Here's a look at how the Lions' fans reacted to the selection of Derrick Moore in the second-round.

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Christian Booher
CHRISTIAN BOOHER

Sports journalist who has covered the Detroit Lions the past three NFL seasons. Christian brings expert analysis, insights and an ability to fairly assess how the team is performing in a tough NFC North division. 

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