Michigan football had another player drafted on Saturday in the fourth round of the NFL draft, and just like Derrick Moore, he's headed to the Detroit Lions.
Linebacker Jimmy Rolder, who spent his entire career with the Wolverines and was a member of the 2023 national championship team, was selected by Detroit in the fourth round with the No. 118 overall draft pick.
Rolder played in 43 games during his Michigan football career, finishing with 118 tackles, 70 solo, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception.
Rolder is kind of the classic inside linebacker. He's perfectly made for the 9-on-7 drill, and there aren't many linebackers in the 2026 NFL draft who are better in the box than Rolder.
The former four-star recruit is listed at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds. His coverage ability will be the ultimate X-factor in his career That will determine whether or not he can be a three-down player, but he made tremendous strides during his senior season, in which he played all 12 games.
Rolder started 22 games the past two seasons in Ann Arbor. He was a reliable run defender and even added two pass breakups this season.
Detroit Lions defense loaded with Michigan football defenders
On back-to-back days, the Lions filled needs with Michigan football alums. Detroit has needed a long-term answer opposite Aidan Hutchinson, in terms of a pass rusher, and found it in in Derrick Moore, who has 10 sacks for the Wolverines last season.
Rolder fills another key need, and it all goes according to plan, there could be three Wolverines playing in the Lions front seven.
That's one way to improve a defense.
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