Detroit Lions rookie Derrick Moore knows exactly why he was drafted. The former Michigan standout is already focused on his primary mission of making life easier for star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson.

Per Christian Booher of the Detroit Lions on SI, the rookie defensive end has shown his strong desire to assist the Lions' star Aidan Hutchinson across the defensive line to ease up the pressure on him.

When I eventually get that role, my whole thinking process is how can I help Hutch?" Moore said. "I feel like Hutch is the starter, so how can I help take all of that stress off him…”

He was drafted in the second round as the 44th overall pick. To land him, GM Brad Holmes traded up six spots with the New York Jets in return for the No. 50 pick and the fourth round’s 128th pick.

“I don’t try to go into any of the games trying to be the bigger person,” Derrick Moore said. “But I just want to be able to help him and play my role.”

Defining his role on the roster, the new DE readies to establish himself as the complement to Hutchinson in his first rookie season. 

Drafting of Moore was essential for the Lions, not just because of the departure of Al-Quadin-Muhammad, but also because of the Lions' sacks last season.

The Lions were ranked 4th in the league with 49 total team sacks, a steep production that relied on Hutchinson.

Hutchinson recorded 16 sacks, 64 hurries, and 20 hits while generating 100 pressures in 1,005 defensive snaps played, per Pro Football Focus.

This is where Moore can fulfill his desire to help Hutchinson. 

Per Michigan Athletics, in his last collegiate season, Moore appeared in 12 games while recording 10 sacks and two forced fumbles with 30 tackles. 

With Derrick Moore already started taking part in the Lions OTAs and the minicamps, Moore has set expectations for himself ahead of his first rookie NFL season. 

Derrick Moore Reveals Ambitious Goals for 2026 NFL Rookie Season

Aware of all the facts that he won’t learn until he steps onto the gridiron with his pads on. 

“Going into it, I don’t know how high my ceiling is gonna be until the pads are on and we’re out there on the field," Moore explained. "Going forward, I just want to stay the process, stay the course.” 

Derrick Moore is dedicating his first season to learning from ‌veteran talents like Hutchinson and DJ Wonnum.

“Take in all the knowledge that I can and pretty much be a sponge my first year and just learn from everything,” Moore added. “The right and wrong, and also learn from the vets that are in the room.  

Aspiring to be the counterpart of the Lions star Aidan Hutchinson, Moore wanted to learn the rights and wrongs and implement the knowledge gained to improve his gameplay to the standards of the Detroit Lions. 

With the learning mindset, Derrick Moore has started his NFL journey with the Motor City team.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker