Lions hosted Michigan linebacker for a visit ahead of 2026 NFL Draft, ‘One of the most instinctive linebackers in the class’
The 2026 NFL Draft is 18 days away, and the Detroit Lions are continuing to get their visits in. This time, they took a look at a player who isn’t too far away at all. Lions hosted Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder for a visit Rolder is coming off a big season with a team-leading 73 […]
The 2026 NFL Draft is 18 days away, and the Detroit Lions are continuing to get their visits in. This time, they took a look at a player who isn’t too far away at all.
Lions hosted Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder for a visit
Rolder is coming off a big season with a team-leading 73 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three pass breakups, an interception, and two sacks. The two things that might really draw the Lions to Rolder are that he is one of the surest tacklers in the draft.
In 2025, Pro Football Focus gave him an 88.8 tackle grade. That was seventh in the nation among linebackers who played a minnium 400 snaps. He missed just four tackles all season. The other thing is that he’s a strong run defender. PFF graded him out at 80.0 in the department.
Rolder has some ability to play the weak-side linebacker role because he did show some pass-rush ability at Michigan, and he was decent in coverage. The Lions would probably have to spend some time with him and continue to grow him as a player since previous to 2025, Michigan predominantly used him as a special teamer.
That’s likely why he’s expected to be a late-day three pick at this point, but as Ryan Fowler points out in the above tweet, there’s a lot of interest in him right now. He’s a potential sleeper pick for sure.
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