Grading the Detroit Lions’ selection of Jimmy Rolder

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 25: Jimmy Rolder #30 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after a sack against the Aidan Chiles #2 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 25, 2025 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images To start the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions continued to draft local talent, taking Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder in the fourth round at pick 118. With the biggest needs addressed in the first two rounds, the Lions decided to focus on improving their defense and depth at linebacker.

There were questions at linebacker, as the only player under contract for 2027 is Derrick Barnes—although the team is expected to extend Jack Campbell this offseason. The team needs long-term options at the position with the rest of the unit on one-year deals. Was this the right time to take a linebacker or should the Lions have picked elsewhere at this spot?

Roster impact As I mentioned earlier, the linebacker depth on the Lions is thin. Behind the starters of Barnes and Campbell is a question mark. It’s unsure if the Lions will stick with three linebackers in their base, or convert to a two linebacker base defense.

No matter what they do, the Lions have Malcom Rodriguez as the top candidate for LB3, but Rolder could compete for that job. There’s also Trevor Nowaske and Damone Clark, who don’t jump off the page to me as starter material. Rolder, at worst, is a serviceable backup for this team and gives them an option for a few years, but at best, could turn into an average starter for Detroit.