The Detroit Lions may have made serious moves in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it also sparked some fun off the field. The Lions celebrated their two Michigan Wolverines picks (Jimmy Rolder and Derrick Moore) on social media.

As a response, Michigan State posted a reaction on X on Saturday, “I thought we were friends... @Lions,” the X post read. It was posted with an image of Lions head coach Dan Campbell with their new head coach, Pat Fitzgerald.

Moore (Edge) was drafted in the second round, overall No. 44, and Rolder (Linebacker) was overall No. 118 in the fourth round.

The rivalry between the Michigan Wolverines and Spartans is over 127 years old, with the first ever meeting dating back to 1898. In the record, the Wolverines are leading with 75 wins, 38 losses, and five ties.

In fact, from 1916 to 1933, the Wolverines were unbeatable with 18 consecutive wins. Currently, the Wolverins have been on a winning streak since 2022.

For the Lions, though, the focus stays on building the roster. The team is coming off a 9-8 season and missed the playoffs, so every move matters. That includes the players they picked from the Wolverines.

Why Did Detroit Lions Pick Rolder and Moore?

The Lions' picks show a focus on defense and building depth.

Linebacker Jimmy Rolder was selected with the No. 118 pick. He played all four seasons at Michigan and stepped up in his final year. Rolder started 12 games and led the team with 73 tackles. He also added seven tackles for loss and two sacks.

Rolder dealt with injuries earlier in his career, but he found his form last season. With changes in the linebacker group, he took on a bigger role and delivered when the team needed him.

Before that, the Lions selected edge rusher Derrick Moore in the second round. Moore had a strong career at Michigan and finished his senior season with 10 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.

He also recorded pass deflections and forced fumbles, showing he can impact games in different ways. Across his career, Moore played 53 games.

Besides the social media fun, the real focus shifts to the gridiron. These draft picks now have to show they belong when the Lions get into training camp and start preparing for the season.

Do you agree with the Detroit Lions' choice? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Rudra Dubey