With the 52nd pick in this year’s draft, the Green Bay Packers have some intriguing options to consider. While defensive linemen and cornerbacks are getting a lot of buzz, the departure of Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare this offseason highlights a critical need for an edge rusher. Enter Michigan’s Derrick Moore, a potential game-changer.
With Micah Parsons likely sidelined at the start of next season, the edge rusher position becomes a priority. Players like Lukas Van Ness and Barryn Sorrell have shown potential, but consistency remains elusive. Sorrell, for instance, ranked 124th out of 125 edge rushers in pass-rush win rate last season, and Van Ness is still chasing that elusive four-sack season.
Derrick Moore, a standout from Michigan, could be the answer on Day 2 of the draft. Over his four college seasons, Moore amassed 23 tackles for loss and 21 sacks, along with three forced fumbles and 95 total tackles.
As a former four-star recruit from Baltimore, he made an immediate impact at Michigan, playing every game as a freshman and contributing to their National Championship run. Despite an injury setback in his junior year, Moore roared back with a career-high 10 sacks as a senior and served as a team captain.
Moore’s style mirrors that of Parsons-a smaller, lanky edge rusher with a knack for pressuring quarterbacks. His Senior Bowl performance showcased his ability to overpower linemen, underscoring his impressive power profile.
Moore’s speed and strength make him a perfect fit for Green Bay’s defensive philosophy. His unofficial 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds ranks him ninth among edge rushers in this draft class. He’s got the potential to be a game-wrecker, offering the versatility to play all three downs.
While Moore might not fit the typical Brian Gutekunst mold of high-upside, high-athleticism players, his college production and development are hard to ignore. Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, the Packers’ recent edge rusher picks, didn’t have standout college stats-Gary had 10.5 sacks over three years at Michigan, and Van Ness never started a game at Iowa, tallying 13.5 sacks in a rotational role.
If the Packers find themselves without top cornerback and defensive line options at pick 52, Moore could be the perfect choice, bringing much-needed production and energy to Green Bay's defense.