Derrick Moore DE/EDGE Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Derrick Moore DE/EDGE Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 05/16/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.65 seconds (88%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.5 DOB: 12/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
Last Updated: 05/16/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2026 | |
40 time: 4.65 seconds (88%*) | |
Age: 22.5 DOB: 12/06/2002 | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 86.4 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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82% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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70% |
Pass Rush: |
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91% |
Run Defense: |
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73% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Mid
Overall Rank:
#40
Position rank:
#11
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College Games: 40 College Snaps: 1102 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Jonah Elliss - Utah |
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92% |
Felix Anudike-Uzomah - Kansas State |
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92% |
Will McDonald IV - Iowa State |
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92% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A two-time All-Big Ten selection who has appeared in 40 games for the Wolverines, Derrick Moore enters his senior season as Michigan's lone returning starter on the defensive line. The Baltimore native has steadily improved each season in Ann Arbor, evolving from a rotational piece as a freshman into a key defensive contributor who has racked up 15 tackles for loss and 11 sacks over his three-year career. Moore began at St. Frances Academy in Maryland, where he dominated as a senior with 55 tackles (24 for loss) and 12 sacks, earning MaxPreps Maryland High School Football Player of the Year honors. His performance in the Under Armour All-American Game, where he claimed MVP honors with a two-sack performance, solidified his status as an elite four-star recruit across all major services. After playing in every game as a freshman in 2022, Moore took a significant step forward as a sophomore, appearing in all 15 games during Michigan's national championship run. His junior campaign saw him earn his first 12 starts at edge rusher, where he continued to develop despite battling injuries. As he enters his senior season, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale has praised Moore's selfless play and believes the edge rusher "will have another gear" in 2025.Scouting Report: Strengths
- Electric get-off that rockets him upfield, forcing tackles to scramble into recovery mode from the moment the ball is snapped.
- Converts speed to power with devastating efficiency, jolting offensive linemen backward with violent hand strikes to collapse the pocket.
- Shows impressive hip flexibility and bend when turning the corner, consistently flattening his rush angle to get home to the quarterback.
- Relentless motor that shows up in backside pursuit and extended plays – never takes snaps off and hunts from whistle to whistle.
- Versatile alignment capabilities allow him to rush from standing, three-point, and wide-9 techniques with equal effectiveness.
- Does an excellent job using his length to disrupt passing lanes, batting down four passes over the past two seasons.
- Physically imposing frame with rocked-up build that carries 256 pounds extremely well – looks like he's playing 20 pounds lighter.
- Scheme-diverse talent who can thrive as a traditional hand-in-dirt DE or as a stand-up edge in multiple fronts.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pass rush plan lacks nuance; relies too heavily on physical traits rather than a diverse move set to defeat blockers
- Struggles to disengage when anchored by offensive tackles; needs to develop better counters and hand-fighting techniques
- Pad level rises when engaging blockers, negating natural leverage and allowing opponents to get into his frame
- Limited array of pass rush moves; primarily relies on bull rush and outside speed rush without effective counters
- Coverage skills are a work in progress; can look stiff in space and struggles to match up in man coverage situations
Scouting Report: Summary
Raw power matched with lightning quickness off the edge defines Moore's game, but technical refinement stands between him and consistent production at the next level. His pass rush approach often hits a wall when initial burst doesn't win, leaving him without counters when tackles anchor against his primary moves. The motor never quits, though. Moore runs with the kind of relentless energy that defensive coaches covet, chasing down plays from the backside and fighting through trash to affect quarterbacks. This effort partially masks technique deficiencies, particularly against the run where his pad level rises and compromises his leverage advantage. What makes Moore tantalizing is the foundation of physical gifts that can't be taught – the bend, the burst, the frame. These traits will earn him early opportunities as a designated pass rusher while his every-down skillset develops. Creative defensive schemes will maximize his versatility by moving him around the formation, creating favorable matchups that leverage his athletic testing against less mobile blockers. Moore's ceiling ultimately depends on how quickly he can translate his natural tools into refined technique – something that will determine whether he becomes an impact starter or remains a situational player at the next level.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Derrick Moore (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
69.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
14.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.