Lions rookie might become an instant starter at training camp

The Detroit Lions made two significant moves at the edge-rusher position this offseason, signing D.J. Wonnum to a one-year deal in free agency and selecting Derrick Moore out of Michigan with the No. 44 overall pick in the second round of the NFL draft -- and one of the two is almost certainly going to start the year opposite superstar Aidan Hutchinson.

Of all the new faces that will participate in training camp later this month, Moore's is perhaps the most likely to land in the starting lineup outside of offensive tackle Blake Miller.

Miller is more or less a lock to start if he's healthy, given that he plays right tackle and Lions brass has already announced its intention to flip all-world lineman Penei Sewell to the left side following the release of Taylor Decker earlier this offseason.

Wonnum, who turns 29 in October, is a known entity heading into his seventh professional campaign. He was a starter the past three seasons, one with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023 and each of the past two with the Carolina Panthers. However, he is also merely a $3 million player on a one-year deal in 2026.

Given the team's level of investment in Wonnum compared to Moore, both in terms of years and total money, Detroit clearly wants Moore to win the starting job -- and to do so sooner rather than later.

Moore spent four years with the Wolverines, though he didn't truly pop until his senior campaign, in which he tallied 10.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks in 12 games played.

Wonnum has twice recorded 8.0 sacks in a single campaign at the NFL level, though both came in Minnesota multiple years ago (2021, 2023). He produced a total of 7.0 sacks across 24 appearances with the Panthers over the past two years combined.

Derrick Moore Enters NFL With Questions About Motor, Ability to Set Edge Against Run

The biggest question involving Moore heading into his rookie campaign is his motor and effort, specifically on rushing downs when his primary responsibility is setting the edge. His athleticism score was weak at the NFL Combine in late February, where he ranked 20th among all edge defenders, per NFL.com. That said, Moore is a classic power-rusher at nearly six feet, four inches tall and 255 pounds.

Detroit was 14th against the run (114.5 yards per game) last season, so Moore probably needs to show improved effort and production in that area to leapfrog Wonnum into the starting lineup by Week 1. However, Moore's upside as a pass-rusher should give him an edge to earn a top-two spot in the position group given how important pocket disruption is going to be to the Lions' success this season.

The secondary is a mess, as safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are major question marks due to injury, and Terrion Arnold is out after two years as a wasted first-round pick.

Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard favors his cornerbacks playing man coverage, but that's a considerable ask of an aging D.J. Reed coming off a serious hamstring injury and headed into his age-30 campaign, a career reserve in Rock Ya-Sin who is also 30 years old, and fifth-round rookie Keith Abney II, who stands all of five feet, nine inches tall.

The best thing Sheppard can do for his secondary is to get pressure by rushing only four and allowing the linebackers to linger in coverage on passing downs. If Moore shows out in camp, the best chance to generate that type of pressure is for Sheppard to pair him with Hutchinson and let them blow their ears back off every snap possible.

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This article was originally published on detroitjockcity.com as Lions rookie might become an instant starter at training camp.