Lions selected Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder with the No. 118 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rolder (6’2"/238) emerged as a steady second-level producer for Michigan, posting 69 tackles with 10 havoc plays, 6.5 TFLs, and 10 run stops while finishing at a strong 90.8 percent tackle rate. His 62.3 percent run-tackle share underscores a downhill profile, consistently inserting into gaps with square pads and finishing through contact. Rolder flashes useful blitz utility, generating 10 pressures on 68 rushes (14.7 percent pressure rate) with two sacks and a quick 2.41 time-to-first-pressure, highlighting his trigger and closing burst. He wins with processing speed and range rather than overwhelming power, showing the ability to flow sideline-to-sideline and stay clean when working in space.Athletically, Rolder checks key boxes with a 9.53 RAS, pairing adequate size with above-average explosion (36-inch vertical) and strong agility testing (4.26 shuttle, 7.00 three-cone), giving him the movement profile to hold up in subpackages. He projects as a rotational WILL linebacker and core special teamer early, with a pathway to a starting role if he continues to refine block deconstruction and play strength inside.
