Derrick Moore, Michigan: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Moore was a four-star recruit from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md. in the class of 2022

Michigan’s defensive front features several All-American candidates. Derrick Moore has flown under the radar on that talented unit, but the junior will hear his name called in the 2025 or 2026 NFL Draft. Moore can raise his stock by returning to school and refining his pass rush plan and hand counters.

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Derrick Moore, Edge Michigan: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior outside linebacker from Baltimore, Md.

Background: Moore was a four-star recruit from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md. in the class of 2022. He was the No. 49 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 52 for Rivals, and No. 37 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 20th in the nation with an 89 grade out of 100. Moore originally committed to Oklahoma before flipping to Michigan. As a high school senior, he totaled 55 tackles, including 24 tackles for loss with 12 sacks. He was the 2021 MaxPreps Maryland High School Football Player of the Year and was the MVP of the 2021 Under Armour All-American Game. Moore’s junior season was canceled because of COVID-19. He was born on Dec. 6, 2002.

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed 2024 Washington game

Awards: 2023 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten

Pros: Good burst off the line, pushes vertically rapidly, speed punishes jump setting tackles, quickness to fire through gaps, fires into the B-gap when the tackle oversets, works back into the B-gap after pushing vertically, speed rush, two-handed swipe, rip move, swim move, ghost move, uses a long-arm in half-man to keep tackles out of his frame, some speed to power worked through a long-arm, uses a long-arm to set the edge in the run game, good closing burst, speed increases pursuit range, speed and mobility to handle shallow to intermediate zone drops, motor runs hot

Cons: Limited special teams experience, primarily a rotational rusher in past seasons, questionable arm length, limitations built into frame, lean build, pad level needs to be more consistent, frame lacks natural power, outreached allowing tackles to land the first punch, lacks the power to play through offensive tackles, bull rush halted by Josh Simmons (2023), explosiveness and speed fall short of elite, carried up and around the arc, lacks the bend to corner and finish consistently, underdeveloped pass rush plan and counters, hands slip up and occasionally contact the OT’s facemask, needs more hand counters to clear a path around the outside ark, hand counters sometimes fail to break the tackle’s grip, physically outmatched vs. pulling guards, struggles to anchor vs. linemen climbing vertically

Overview: Moore primarily deploys as a wide-9 and 5-tech in two and three-point stances but sees a handful of snaps at 4-tech and 4i. He doesn’t have much special teams versatility. Moore is a lean pass rusher with questionable arm length. His build can only carry so much mass, which puts a low ceiling on his ability to generate power. Moore explodes off the line and pushes vertically rapidly. After setting offensive tackles up with his outside speed rush for a few reps, he fires through the B-gap. Most linemen lack the agility to match Moore’s speed when he works across their faces and through the B-gap. The Maryland native counters inside after working vertically and nearing the top of the arc. His pass rush plan includes speed rushes, two-handed swipes, rips, swims, ghosts, and limited speed to power conversion worked through a long-arm. Offensive tackles can out-reach Moore and derail his pass rush by landing the first punch. Moore doesn’t have the power in his frame to play through the center of offensive tackles or break their anchors. He relies heavily on his explosiveness and speed, which are both above-average but not elite. The former four-star recruit doesn’t have the bend to flatten his rush angle and capitalize on his speed rush consistently. He lacks the developed hand counters and advanced pass rush moves to overcome his physical limitations on a down-to-down basis. Moore struggles to break the offensive tackle’s clamp and needs to refine his hand usage and accuracy. His motor runs hot in run defense. Moore’s speed and closing burst expand his range in pursuit. He uses a long-arm to set the edge but lacks the mass to anchor at the point of attack when offensive linemen begin working vertically.

Overall, Moore is a lean defender who projects as a wide-alignment speed rusher at the NFL level. His frame limits his ability to generate power and anchor at the point of attack. Moore’s lack of impressive bend and underdeveloped pass rush plan make him a likely Day 3 selection who will serve as a rotational rusher in his rookie campaign if he declares for the draft. He’ll likely return to school in 2025.

Role & Scheme Fit: Outside linebacker/designated pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme

Round Grade: Late Fifth to Mid Sixth Round

Size: 6'3", 258 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 07-29-24

Updated: 11-12-24