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Predicting the Detroit Lions’ sack leader is relatively easy. Aidan Hutchinson is the clear alpha of the defense and a proven sack machine. But who will finish second on the team?
Last season, it was Al-Quadin Muhammad, who recorded 11.5 sacks. This year, however, the race is much more open. When it comes down to it, there are three realistic candidates: veteran edge rusher DJ Wonnum, rookie Derrick Moore, and defensive tackle Alim McNeill.
DJ Wonnum
Wonnum enters his seventh NFL season with 30 career sacks. He spent his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before playing the last two years with the Carolina Panthers.
He has posted eight sacks twice in his career, and both seasons came when he started at least 14 games, proving he can produce when healthy and playing a full workload. Overall, Wonnum has appeared in 86 career games and has dealt with only one major injury that sidelined him for an extended period.
In 2024, Wonnum missed the first nine games after suffering severe complications from a torn left quadriceps muscle that he injured the previous December. Despite that setback, his production has remained solid.
Since 2021, Wonnum’s 27 sacks rank tied for 58th among all NFL defenders. For comparison, former Lion Za’Darius Smith recorded 26 sacks during that span, while recent high-profile free-agent edge rushers Jaelan Phillips (28) and Bradley Chubb (27.5) sit just ahead of Wonnum.
His 50 quarterback hits since 2021 are tied for 79th in the league alongside Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Wonnum enters training camp as the favorite to finish second on the team in sacks, especially if he can stay healthy for a full season.
Derrick Moore
Second-round rookie Derrick Moore arguably has the highest ceiling of anyone competing for the role.
His 2025 season at Michigan was dominant. He earned an 89.9 overall PFF grade, including a 92.4 pass-rush grade, which ranked eighth nationally, along with a 76.3 run-defense grade.
2025 Statistics
* 11 sacks
* 2 forced fumbles
* 9 quarterback hits
* 41 total pressures
* 3 batted passes
* 440 defensive snaps
Moore also served as a team captain and fits Detroit’s preferred mold for edge defenders at 6-foot-4 with an 81¼-inch wingspan. He was one of the Big Ten’s most productive pass rushers, posting a 17.5% pressure rate.
Career College Statistics
* 62 solo tackles
* 24.5 tackles for loss
* 24.5 sacks
* 8 pass deflections
* 3 forced fumbles
Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Moore has primarily worked with the second-team defense but has also received plenty of first-team reps. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has praised Moore’s ability to set the edge, his relentless motor, and his overall presence on the field.
I currently project Wonnum to finish with 5.5 sacks, while Moore edges him out with six sacks, making the rookie my prediction to finish second on the team.
Alim McNeill
McNeill returned last season after suffering a torn ACL in 2024. While he flashed at times, it was evident he wasn’t quite back to 100 percent.
Detroit showed how highly it values McNeill by signing him to a four-year, $97 million extension in October 2024.
Although he’s an interior defensive lineman, McNeill has consistently shown the ability to collapse the pocket and create pressure. His career-high came in 2023 when he recorded five sacks.
Because McNeill plays defensive tackle, his path to finishing second on the team in sacks would likely require Wonnum and Moore to split opportunities throughout the season while he returns to his pre-injury form.
When asked about McNeill’s recovery, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard didn’t hesitate.
“As confident as I’ve ever been.”
If McNeill returns to the level he was playing before his ACL injury, he absolutely has a chance to finish second on the team in sacks. Still, my prediction is that rookie Derrick Moore narrowly claims that spot with six sacks behind Aidan Hutchinson.
Overall
The race likely comes down to play time, if it’s an even split between Wonnum and Moore I think McNeil could edge them out. My belief is that Moore wins the starting role by week four and finishes with six sacks while Wonnum sits just behind with five and half, then in last McNeil having four sacks.
Continue reading...
Last season, it was Al-Quadin Muhammad, who recorded 11.5 sacks. This year, however, the race is much more open. When it comes down to it, there are three realistic candidates: veteran edge rusher DJ Wonnum, rookie Derrick Moore, and defensive tackle Alim McNeill.
DJ Wonnum
Wonnum enters his seventh NFL season with 30 career sacks. He spent his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before playing the last two years with the Carolina Panthers.
He has posted eight sacks twice in his career, and both seasons came when he started at least 14 games, proving he can produce when healthy and playing a full workload. Overall, Wonnum has appeared in 86 career games and has dealt with only one major injury that sidelined him for an extended period.
In 2024, Wonnum missed the first nine games after suffering severe complications from a torn left quadriceps muscle that he injured the previous December. Despite that setback, his production has remained solid.
Since 2021, Wonnum’s 27 sacks rank tied for 58th among all NFL defenders. For comparison, former Lion Za’Darius Smith recorded 26 sacks during that span, while recent high-profile free-agent edge rushers Jaelan Phillips (28) and Bradley Chubb (27.5) sit just ahead of Wonnum.
His 50 quarterback hits since 2021 are tied for 79th in the league alongside Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo.
Wonnum enters training camp as the favorite to finish second on the team in sacks, especially if he can stay healthy for a full season.
Derrick Moore
Second-round rookie Derrick Moore arguably has the highest ceiling of anyone competing for the role.
His 2025 season at Michigan was dominant. He earned an 89.9 overall PFF grade, including a 92.4 pass-rush grade, which ranked eighth nationally, along with a 76.3 run-defense grade.
2025 Statistics
* 11 sacks
* 2 forced fumbles
* 9 quarterback hits
* 41 total pressures
* 3 batted passes
* 440 defensive snaps
Moore also served as a team captain and fits Detroit’s preferred mold for edge defenders at 6-foot-4 with an 81¼-inch wingspan. He was one of the Big Ten’s most productive pass rushers, posting a 17.5% pressure rate.
Career College Statistics
* 62 solo tackles
* 24.5 tackles for loss
* 24.5 sacks
* 8 pass deflections
* 3 forced fumbles
Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Moore has primarily worked with the second-team defense but has also received plenty of first-team reps. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard has praised Moore’s ability to set the edge, his relentless motor, and his overall presence on the field.
I currently project Wonnum to finish with 5.5 sacks, while Moore edges him out with six sacks, making the rookie my prediction to finish second on the team.
Alim McNeill
McNeill returned last season after suffering a torn ACL in 2024. While he flashed at times, it was evident he wasn’t quite back to 100 percent.
Detroit showed how highly it values McNeill by signing him to a four-year, $97 million extension in October 2024.
Although he’s an interior defensive lineman, McNeill has consistently shown the ability to collapse the pocket and create pressure. His career-high came in 2023 when he recorded five sacks.
Because McNeill plays defensive tackle, his path to finishing second on the team in sacks would likely require Wonnum and Moore to split opportunities throughout the season while he returns to his pre-injury form.
When asked about McNeill’s recovery, defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard didn’t hesitate.
“As confident as I’ve ever been.”
If McNeill returns to the level he was playing before his ACL injury, he absolutely has a chance to finish second on the team in sacks. Still, my prediction is that rookie Derrick Moore narrowly claims that spot with six sacks behind Aidan Hutchinson.
Overall
The race likely comes down to play time, if it’s an even split between Wonnum and Moore I think McNeil could edge them out. My belief is that Moore wins the starting role by week four and finishes with six sacks while Wonnum sits just behind with five and half, then in last McNeil having four sacks.
Continue reading...
