One prospect the Denver Broncos are showing interest in and could select in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft is Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder. He is a 6-2, 238-pound linebacker, and he is considered one of the instinctual linebackers in this entire draft class. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Rolder ranked as the 11th-best linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft and has a 4th-round grade on him.
Rolder played a total of four seasons at Michigan and is coming off a breakout year
for the Wolverines. During his four seasons at Michigan, Rolder appeared in 43 games and totaled 118 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 pass deflections. This past year, Rolder appeared in 12 games and totaled 73 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 pass deflections.
The Broncos re-signed veteran linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad while also releasing veteran Dre Greenlaw. So, while the Broncos do have their two starters at linebacker locked in, the depth behind those two is not great. Also, both Strnad and Singleton are 30+ years old and not long-term answers at the position, so adding a player like Rolder would make a lot of sense.
Player Profile
Jimmy Rolder | Linebacker | Michigan
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 238 pounds
- Arm Length: 30.5 inches
- Wingspan: 77 3/8 inches
- Hand Size: 9 3/4 inches
- 40-time: N/A
- Bench Press: 17 reps
- Vertical Jump: 36 inches
- Broad Jump: 9-11
- Short Shuttle: 4.26 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7 seconds
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- Well-built, stout, and compact linebacker who moves very well in space
- Instincts are great – Has a nose for the football, reads and reacts quickly, and closes in on ball-carriers quickly – It’s his best asset
- Plays with his hair on fire – Is a fast downhill linebacker who can shed blocks and get to the ball-carrier
- Has strong hands and can knock blockers backwards
- Very good, reliable, and physical open-field tackler – doesn’t give up many broken tackles
- Has the skill set to do well in zone coverage – Instincts + athleticism + fluid hips
- Has some pass-rush potential as a blitzer
- A+ character and makeup
- Brings special teams upside
Weaknesses
- Does not have the ideal size you look for in a linebacker – Lacks length, has shorter arms, and is a little bit undersized
- Limited experience – Only has 11 career starts
- Plays fast, which can lead to poor angles and overaggressive tendencies
- Coverage concerns – Lacks ideal height and length to match up against tight ends in coverage
- Injuries – Nothing major, but has dealt with multiple minor injuries
What other analysts are saying about Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder
The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder
Given his relative lack of on-field experience, Rolder was a pleasant surprise on tape, because of his awareness and movement skills. He plays with multi-gap range, legit sideline-to-sideline speed and athletic upside in coverage. He isn’t explosive as a thumper but drops his firm pads into the ball carrier and rarely misses tackles (4.7 percent missed tackle rate in 2025). Rolder needs to iron out his overaggressive tendencies, but he plays with ascending instincts and the reactive athleticism to make plays in the NFL. If healthy, he will be an immediate contributor on special teams and offer the potential to become a weakside starter.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder
Rolder’s instincts and run-game consistency make it hard to believe he was only a one-year starter in college. He plays low and leveraged with violent hands to shock and slip off blocks. He finds the best routes to the run gap and maneuvers around traffic with efficiency to tighten angles to the ball-carrier. He plays with good awareness and change of direction in space but has average pursuit speed and coverage talent. Few linebackers in this draft finish tackles with the technique and consistency he displays. If you trust the tape and ignore his lack of experience, Rolder profiles as a future starting inside linebacker.
Jimmy Rolder RAS
Should the Broncos draft Michigan LB Jimmy Rolder in the 4th round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
He seems to fit what the Broncos like at linebacker.
While Rolder is a tad bit undersized (height/arm length), he is an explosive downhill linebacker who plays a physical form of football. Displays great instincts, closes in quickly, and will bring you down. Has excellent tackling form and rarely allows a broken tackle. Add in the ability to blitz occasionally and contribute on special teams, and I can see the Broncos liking him.
He also checks the character box for the Broncos. This new regime emphasizes character, and by all accounts, Rolder is the type of player coaches will love.
If drafted, he would give the Broncos some depth behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad and potentially a player who can develop into a starter down the road. I like his overall game and believe he would be a solid pick for the Broncos in the 4th round.
