For years, the Detroit Lions have been in the market for a reliable pass rusher to start opposite Aidan Hutchinson. They have swung and missed with several guys, with former Carolina Panthers DE D.J. Wonnum being their most recent free-agency gamble.
The Lions gave Wonnum a one-year, $1.37 million deal early in the offseason. However, as expected, that didn't stop GM Brad Holmes from trying to get a long-term solution at the position in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Lions used the No. 44 pick to get Michigan pass rusher Derrick Moore, and while he had drawn a third-round grade in most projections, he has a legitimate chance to take plenty of snaps from Detroit's latest signing.
D.J. Wonnum Could Lose Ground to Derrick Moore
Wonnum isn't coming off the most impressive campaign by any means. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 54.8, which ranked 97th among 115 eligible defensive ends. Despite logging 29 total pressures, including 25 QB hits, three sacks, and one hurry, he still drew the third-lowest pass-rushing grade at the position (49.9).
Moore, on the other hand, is fresh off being a two-year starter for one of the nation's best defenses. While he rotated in a stacked Wolverines defense, he led the Big Ten by averaging a QB pressure on 17.5 percent of his pass-rushing snaps. He's not someone who needs ot play heavy snaps to make an impact, and that should be a concern for Wonnum, knowing that he can lose his spot to a rookie if he doesn't bring his A-Game right out of the jump.
Of course, Moore isn't a perfect prospect by any means. On top of the limited usage, he's dealt with knee and hamstring injuries, and he wasn't always the most consistent guy out there; he can go hot and cold in the blink of an eye.
That said, those flashes of strong play are more than enough to suggest that he can be a difference-maker at the next level when given a chance. Wonnum was never expected to be a long-term solution at the position, and the Lions won't hesitate to pull the plug on him if he doesn't do much better than their second-round selection.
The Lions are thirsty for revenge after one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent team history. Notably, finding someone else to take pressure off Aidan Hutchinson will be the best way to help him take that leap to join the conversation with other elite pass rushers like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Micah Parsons.
Who knows? Moore might be the catalyst he's needed for years.
More Detroit Lions News and Rumors:
Add us as a preferred source on Google