Tag: aidan hutchinson

Lions DC Kelvin Shepard pleased with tall group of edge rushers

ALLEN PARK — It’s early in the process and no pads are allowed yet during offseason workouts, but Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Shepard likes what he sees from the edge rusher group.

One of the first things he sees is that they are tall. Tall is good.

“That’s something that we attacked, we saw we needed. Like always, we mentioned it and the front office did a great job and went out and kind of attracted some of it, barring what we could do, some of the guys we were looking for,’’ Shepard said on Thursday before the team’s ninth OTA workout.

Of the seven edge rushers on the current roster four of them are 6-foot-5 or taller. That includes Aidan Hutchinson (6-foot-7), free agent signee Payton Turner (6-foot-6), undrafted free agent Anthony Lucas (6-foot-5) and free agent D.J. Wonnum (6-foot-5).

The EDGE roster fills out with rookie Derrick Moore (6-foot-3), Eric O’Neill (6-foot-2) and second-year Ahmed Hassanein (6-foot-2).

“It is a good mix and blend. We have some long, we have some shorter, powerful, so to say, type players. The first thing I think is there’s going to be a lot of competition come training camp with that unit,’’ Shepard said. “There’s six to seven guys I’m looking at and they all look like they can play and have potential. It’s just a matter of when the pads come on and what that looks like.’’

Shepard said some of the talent is obvious like signing veteran free agent Wonnum and drafting Moore (Michigan) in the second round. 

He also pointed out that Turner, in his sixth NFL season, is a former first-round pick and Hassanein was on the practice squad all last season and is looking to make a push.

Even though undrafted, Lucas was a “game-wrecker” at USC per Shepard.

“We’re very excited for the group. When it comes to the length – it’s what you look for on the edge nowadays, especially what complements the 

werewolf (Hutchinson) we have, what does that look like,’’ said Shepard who is in his second season as defensive coordinator.

“A lot of guys want this juiced up, speedball type player but does that truly complement what that player does well? That’s something that we have to sit back as a staff, as a front office and look at,’’ Shepard added. “We’re all on the same page as far as what we’re looking for to complement that player.’’

What’s next: Veteran minicamp next week and then players are off until training camp.

Lions draft LB Jimmy Rolder in 4th; 2nd Michigan defenseman in 2 days

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions drafted a second straight Michigan Wolverine, when they selected linebacker Jimmy Rolder with their only pick in the fourth round (118 overall) on Saturday.

On Friday, Detroit drafted EDGE Derrick Moore (Michigan) in the second round.

Rolder said it’s going to be “awesome” to play again with Moore. Those two join EDGE Aidan Hutchinson who was drafted out of Michigan in 2022.

What makes the Michigan defense stand out? “I think just the way we play at Michigan. The way we play defense,’’ Rolder said. “We held our hat on playing physical, playing tough, playing with high effort.’’

In 2025, his first year as a starter, Rolder led Michigan with 73 tackles. He 11 starts in 12 games (7 TFLs with 2 sacks, INT, 2 PBUs).

“I just really started coming into my own. I think I’m really just getting started,’’ Rolder said on a conference call on Saturday. “I had that one year of starting and as I was playing I was playing with more and more confidence each week. I think the ceiling is way way high now. I’m excited to take it to the next level and keep working on things.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said Rolder’s instincts and run-game consistency make it hard to believe he was only a one-year starter in college. 

When Rolder was getting recruited out of high school he particiapted on a Zoom call with Lions LB Jack Campbell who was playing for Iowa at the time.

“Reconvening with him, playing with him at the next level it’s going to be awesome,’’ Rolder said. “Then obviously coming in, competing with other guys in the room, pushing each other to get better everyday in practice.’’

Rolder was a multi-sport athlete at Marist High School in Orland Park, Ill., where he helped the football team to an appearance in the Class 8A State semifinal. He had committed to play Division I baseball at Illinois. But it was during COVID, a tumultuous time. In the end football won out.

“I like baseball, but I love football,’’ said Rolder, who also enjoys playing golf.

When he got the call from Lions GM Brad Holmes Saturday, Rolder was sitting on a golf cart working with his stepdad, Scott Kehoe (Illinois, Miami Dolphins) at the Champions 4 Children charity golf outing in Fort Myers, Fla.

Lions draft Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore in second round

ALLEN PARK — Another team captain drafted, another need filled

Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes traded to move up six spots in the second round of the NFL draft, to draft EDGE Derrick Moore on Friday night.

Detroit swapped its 50th and 128th picks to the N.Y. Jets to select Moore, a team captain at Michigan, at 44.

In Thursday’s first round the Lions drafted offensive tackle Blake Miller who was a team captain at Clemson.

“We’re really, really excited. It’s hard to find guys – I’m not going to say we’re picky – but we just have a certain type that we like,’’ Holmes said.

So far in this draft the needs lined up with the best players which does not always happen.

“We’ve always said we’re going to take the best player. Look if there was – I’m sure there were other tackles available, and other edge rushers available –  but these were the guys we liked,’’ Holmes said.

The Lions finished last season at 9-8 and out of the playoffs. Bolstering the offensive and defensive lines was a priority in the offseason.

Moore stood apart from the other EDGE rushers available for several reasons.

“We’ve been pretty clear about what the requirements are at that position for us and he fits that,’’ Holmes said. “He’s a physical player, he can set hard edges, his pass rush greatly improved. When I look at Derrick — much similar to Blake Miller who we took yesterday — in terms of watching him for a long time. I’ve always felt the length, and physicality and power and pads (were there), but I didn’t really feel like his rush was quite there yet but this year he really got better.’’

He noted that Moore’s improved pass rush stood out during Senior Bowl week.

Moore said he considers Detroit a second home and looks forward to playing with Aidan Hutchinson, another Michigan product.

“I’m definitely excited to play with Hutch,’’ Moore said. “Hopefully I can learn a lot from him and we can go and cause a lot of havoc.’’

Moore, who is 6-4 and 255 pounds, was first-team All-Big Ten in 2025 with a dozen starts, leading the team with 10.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. In 2024 he was honorable mention All-Big Ten starting 12 games with 23 tackles, 6 TFLs with 4 sacks and two PBUs).

One draft analyst on Moore: “Swallows quarterbacks and runners like a crashing wave once he’s close.’’

NFL analyst Lance Zierlein scouting report reads: “Edge prospect with good size and length. 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. Against the pass, Moore is a bull-rush aficionado, piling up pressures and sacks. He’s strong through the top of the rush but needs to prove he can consistently stress long, well-anchored tackles. When it’s time to finish, he tackles with reliable technique and timing. If Moore cranks up the fire on all three downs, he can become a good full-time player. Either way, he projects as a starter capable of racking up pressures.”

Moore was the first Michigan player selected in the 2026 draft.

The Lions have six picks remaining: a fourth (118th overall), two fifths (157 and 181), two sixths (205 and 213) and a seventh (222). Saturday’s draft begins at noon.