The Jacksonville Jaguars still have needs to tackle along the defensive line following free agency, so that is the position group that was addressed in The Athletic’s beat writer mock draft.
On the clock at pick No. 56 in Round 2, Jeff Howe had the Jaguars select Michigan defensive end, Derrick Moore.
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“The Jaguars need more players who can close out games on defense,” Howe wrote. “The 6-3, 260-pounder would get plenty of rotation behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker — who is entering the final year of his rookie contract — and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile should be able to get all three on the field together in certain packages. “
Listed at 6-3, 260 pounds, Moore has played 1,355 career snaps on defense, filling a rotational role. The bulk of his snaps have come on passing downs.
Moore has had steadily increasing production the last three seasons, going from 26 pressures in 2023 to 37 to then 41 this past year. This also includes logging 11 sacks this past season, along with ranking 32nd among all defensive ends in pass rush win rate.
For what it’s worth, he also graded out well in 2025 as a run defender by PFF’s grading system.
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For a deeper dive into Moore’s game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his pre-draft report:
“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.”
With Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker leading the way at defensive end, the Jaguars are positioned well here, but boosting the rotational depth and adding more competition is needed. It’s also worth mentioning at this time that Walker is set to be a free agent in 2027 if he and the team don’t work out an extension beforehand.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Jaguars pick Derrick Moore in beat writer mock
