Maxx Crosby who? Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions went heavy and hard on their 2026 NFL draft class by not only adding Michigan edge Derrick Moore in round two also adding a last-minute edge after the festivities were over.
According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, after the draft wrapped up, the Lions signed Eric O’Neill, an edge rusher from Rutgers University. O’Neill clocked 2.5 sacks, one pass defended and 37 total tackles in 2025, according to ESPN research. The NFL’s Lance Zierlein states of the player that he “projects as a viable backup outside linebacker in an odd-front scheme and offers core special-teams value.”
O’Neill, according to Zierlein, is also a “high-motor edge defender with terrific play strength. He uses efficient hand work in tight quarters to work around blocks at the point of attack, but he lacks range in pursuit.”
It’s Moves like these signal the Detroit Lions aren’t, and perhaps never were, interested in making a big trade to bring Maxx Crosby to Detroit. While a chunk of the Lions’ fanbase would love to see Crosby back in his home state with the team, it would cost a lot. For now, at least, the Lions are investing in the edge position so they can move forward with or without Crosby.
Get to Know Edge Rushers Eric O’Neill and Derrick Moore of the Detroit Lions
Zierlein says that while O’Neill is strong, he has areas of improvement. The player “relies on effort and strength, with room for growth in his rush plan/execution,” he states in his NFL draft profile. “His lack of explosiveness and length caps his overall rush potential, though.”
Whenever you draft someone outside of the official draft class, that player obviously won’t be as polished as a first-round pick. But, it’s great to see the Lions bring O’Neill in for some depth and development in the edge rusher position.
As for Moore, the Lions took him with their No. 44 overall selection, so they traded up to get this Michigan product. He’ll get paired with fellow Wolverine Aidan Hutchinson, which should make for great football.
According to his official draft profile, Moore is a 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher, and during the 2025 season, he had 30 tackles and 10 sacks. Moore also pulled off three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
New Edge Class for the Detroit Lions Have ‘Technique and Timing’ Down
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein says Moore is “far more active and engaged as a rusher than he is as a run defender. He has the ability to set firm edges, but his approach against the run can lack urgency.” On the bright side, Moore has fantastic “technique and timing,” according to Zierlein, which is something you can’t always teach.
While Moore isn’t perfect yet, he’s certainly likely to be a starter, at least soon. Under the direction of Dan Campbell and the rest of the team, he could become elite. More than anything, I’m glad to see the Detroit Lions finally invest in their edge rusher position. It’s a position that’s been ignored for too long, but no longer.
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