Derrick Moore brings explosive power and speed to the Chiefs' draft radar

As more comes into focus about this draft class, Day 2 edge rushers are starting to look like a great value area for the Chiefs. Getting a toolsy pass rusher makes a lot of sense in the early second round, where Kansas City happens to be picking. That selection sits right around where the Chiefs have typically drafted in the first round in recent years, which could make their second-round pick just as impactful as some of those past first-rounders.

The threshold for upgrading the pass rush on the opposite side of George Karlaftis should be fairly easy for the Chiefs. Last season, Charles Omenihu, Mike Danna, and Ashton Gillotte combined for 64 pressures on 1,373 snaps, per Next Gen Stats. George Karlaftis had 57 pressures on his 724 snaps alone. With some hopeful growth from Gillotte, it shouldn't be hard for the Chiefs' pass rush to improve in 2026 with some draft investments.

Former NFL scout and current FanSided contributor Ryan Fowler highlighted Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore as a high-level prospect for the Chiefs' defense. How exactly would he fit? And what would be a proper value for him? Let's take a look.

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NFL Draft Profile: Derrick Moore, Edge, Michigan

Age: 23 (on draft day)

Height: 6-4

Weight: 255 LBS.

Hand: 9 1/8 inches

Arms: 33 3/8 inches

Tape Exposure: Nebraska (2025), Michigan State (2025), Washington (2025)

Shades of: Boye Mafe

Derrick Moore's background

Moore attended Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was teammates with Blake Corum and Jaishawn Barham. As a senior, Moore was named the 2021 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year. Moore was rated as a 4-star prospect by 247Sports and was rated as the 2nd overall player in the state. He followed teammates Corum and Barham to Michigan and committed in 2021.

Moore played all four seasons of his college career at Michigan, including winning a national title in 2023. In 2025, Moore was voted a team captain by his teammates and also the team's MVP. He was a First-Team All–Big Ten selection as well. He finished his college career with 21 sacks, 24.5 tackles for loss, 8 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles.

Looking at Derrick Moore's strengths

Size and Athleticsm

Moore brings ideal size and length to the edge position paired with high-level athleticism. He's dense enough to hold the point of attack and was even used on the inside at times as a pass rusher. Despite that frame, his closing speed and lateral agility pop on tape. He's explosive as a pass rusher.

Pass Rush Ability

Has a natural knack for generating sacks and pressures. Converts speed to power well and also showcased a dip-and-rip pass rush move. Has a nice plan to win as a rusher but also has enough pure power as a bull rusher to impact the pocket regularly.

Versatiltiy

Can win in a variety of ways for a defense: on the edge as a pass rusher or modest edge setter, kick inside to rush with power, run stunts and games, and has even been used as a spot dropper in zone. Played in an NFL-style defense last season with Wink Martindale.

Assessing Derrick Moore's Weaknesses

Lack of Bend

While he is quick and explosive, the stiffness in the hips and lack of ankle bend make him limited in how quickly he can win against more powerful tackles.

Run Defense

Not a zero in run defense but not a strength per se; he has trouble stacking and shedding blocks on the edge. Can be caught out of position and at times struggles to get off tight ends in zone concepts.

Is Derrick Moore another Felix Anudike-Uzomah?

There are certainly some similarities to their game and size profiles. Moore and Anudike-Uzomah have nearly the exact same measurements and have similar productivity at the collegiate level. One key difference is the play style, though. Moore was aligned far more often as a 5-technique and even as a wide-9. This matters because FAU was frequently shaded inside a tackle or even head-up on a guard against Big 12 tackles, whereas Moore has done more as a traditional edge rusher against tough talent. Their path to production for the Chiefs isn't all that dissimilar, though. Moore has a chance to be a nice blend of speed and power for a pass rush group that needs an injection of both.

Derrick Moore profiles as a rotational edge rusher who can win with speed and power. He impacts the pocket, flashes great closing speed, and shows nice refinement as a rusher. With questions around his run defense lingering, it could cap his upside as an every-down defender or limit him to more of a pass-rush specialist role. With adequate size and length, he has all the tools needed to be an NFL starter.

Round Grade: Green Chip (Second-round grade)