- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,243,174
- Reaction score
- 59
Every great pass rusher needs someone on the opposite side capable of making offenses pay for sliding protection his way.
For the Detroit Lions, that player could be veteran D.J. Wonnum.
Or it could be rookie Derrick Moore.
One of the most intriguing position battles in training camp isn’t necessarily about who starts in Week 1. It’s about who eventually emerges as the long-term wingman for Aidan Hutchinson.
If the Lions were playing a meaningful game tomorrow, my money would be on D.J. Wonnum getting the starting nod.
That’s simply how Dan Campbell and his coaching staff tend to operate.
When the competition is close, veterans often get the first opportunity to prove they deserve the job.
Wonnum has certainly earned that respect.
Over four NFL seasons, he’s played in 86 games (54 starts) while totaling 30 career sacks, including a pair of eight-sack campaigns (2021 and 2023). He’s a disciplined edge defender who sets the edge against the run, understands leverage, and brings valuable positional versatility to Detroit’s defensive front.
The Lions don’t need him to be a game wrecker.
With Hutchinson demanding constant double teams and interior disruptors like Alim McNeill and first-round pick Tyleik Williams collapsing the pocket, Wonnum simply needs to do his job.
And history suggests he will.
While Wonnum offers reliability, Derrick Moore offers excitement.
The former Michigan standout arrives in Detroit after playing in a pro-style defense, which should help ease his transition to the NFL. More importantly, he possesses the type of athletic traits that coaches simply can’t teach.
Moore has the potential to become an impact pass rusher.
His burst, motor, and upside give the Lions something they haven’t consistently had opposite Hutchinson in recent years.
Like most rookie edge defenders, however, he’ll need time.
Learning NFL blocking schemes, refining pass-rush moves, and adjusting to the speed of professional offenses isn’t an overnight process.
Fortunately for Detroit, it doesn’t have to be.
One thing seems almost certain.
Both players are going to see plenty of snaps.
Even if Wonnum opens the season as the starter, expect Moore to be heavily involved from the beginning.
The Lions have made it clear they believe in keeping their defensive linemen fresh, and rotating edge rushers has become a major part of Kelvin Sheppard’s philosophy.
The real question isn’t whether Moore will play.
It’s how quickly he forces the coaching staff to give him more opportunities.
If he adapts quickly, the snap count could become nearly even by the middle of the season.
This battle feels more like a marathon than a sprint.
I fully expect D.J. Wonnum to open the regular season as Detroit’s starting edge defender opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
His experience, consistency, and ability to play winning football make him the logical choice for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
But don’t expect that to be the final chapter.
As Derrick Moore grows more comfortable with the speed of the NFL, I believe his role will steadily increase.
By the end of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Moore has overtaken Wonnum as the Lions’ primary starter opposite Hutchinson.
Detroit doesn’t have to rush the rookie.
That’s exactly what makes this situation so exciting.
The Lions can lean on a proven veteran today while developing what could become tomorrow’s long-term answer.
If everything unfolds as expected, this duo has a chance to be a significant upgrade over what Detroit has fielded in recent seasons.
Continue reading...
For the Detroit Lions, that player could be veteran D.J. Wonnum.
Or it could be rookie Derrick Moore.
One of the most intriguing position battles in training camp isn’t necessarily about who starts in Week 1. It’s about who eventually emerges as the long-term wingman for Aidan Hutchinson.
You must be registered for see images attach
D.J. Wonnum Enters Camp as the Favorite
If the Lions were playing a meaningful game tomorrow, my money would be on D.J. Wonnum getting the starting nod.
That’s simply how Dan Campbell and his coaching staff tend to operate.
When the competition is close, veterans often get the first opportunity to prove they deserve the job.
Wonnum has certainly earned that respect.
Over four NFL seasons, he’s played in 86 games (54 starts) while totaling 30 career sacks, including a pair of eight-sack campaigns (2021 and 2023). He’s a disciplined edge defender who sets the edge against the run, understands leverage, and brings valuable positional versatility to Detroit’s defensive front.
The Lions don’t need him to be a game wrecker.
With Hutchinson demanding constant double teams and interior disruptors like Alim McNeill and first-round pick Tyleik Williams collapsing the pocket, Wonnum simply needs to do his job.
And history suggests he will.
You must be registered for see images attach
Derrick Moore Has the Higher Ceiling
While Wonnum offers reliability, Derrick Moore offers excitement.
The former Michigan standout arrives in Detroit after playing in a pro-style defense, which should help ease his transition to the NFL. More importantly, he possesses the type of athletic traits that coaches simply can’t teach.
Moore has the potential to become an impact pass rusher.
His burst, motor, and upside give the Lions something they haven’t consistently had opposite Hutchinson in recent years.
Like most rookie edge defenders, however, he’ll need time.
Learning NFL blocking schemes, refining pass-rush moves, and adjusting to the speed of professional offenses isn’t an overnight process.
Fortunately for Detroit, it doesn’t have to be.
Expect a Rotation Early
One thing seems almost certain.
Both players are going to see plenty of snaps.
Even if Wonnum opens the season as the starter, expect Moore to be heavily involved from the beginning.
The Lions have made it clear they believe in keeping their defensive linemen fresh, and rotating edge rushers has become a major part of Kelvin Sheppard’s philosophy.
The real question isn’t whether Moore will play.
It’s how quickly he forces the coaching staff to give him more opportunities.
If he adapts quickly, the snap count could become nearly even by the middle of the season.
You must be registered for see images attach
My Prediction
This battle feels more like a marathon than a sprint.
I fully expect D.J. Wonnum to open the regular season as Detroit’s starting edge defender opposite Aidan Hutchinson.
His experience, consistency, and ability to play winning football make him the logical choice for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
But don’t expect that to be the final chapter.
As Derrick Moore grows more comfortable with the speed of the NFL, I believe his role will steadily increase.
By the end of the season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Moore has overtaken Wonnum as the Lions’ primary starter opposite Hutchinson.
Detroit doesn’t have to rush the rookie.
That’s exactly what makes this situation so exciting.
The Lions can lean on a proven veteran today while developing what could become tomorrow’s long-term answer.
If everything unfolds as expected, this duo has a chance to be a significant upgrade over what Detroit has fielded in recent seasons.
Continue reading...
