The Detroit Lions fans are not quite ecstatic following Jimmy Rolder's pick in the 4th round, as the No. 118 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

While for some, the news was comforting to see a local Michigan man in state, for many others, it was giving a chance to someone who had very limited starting experience.

The numbers paint a pretty picture, but only over a handful of starts amid a concerning injury history.

The 22-year-old linebacker has totaled 118 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception throughout his collegiate career with the Wolverines. But that's not all.

Rolder also led Michigan with 73 tackles last season. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker is a force to reckon with when it comes to his toughness and run-stopping ability, and with a (Relative Athletic Score)RAS of 9.53, it puts him in the rare company of players.

The 11 career starts, however, are raising eyebrows.

Fans Unsure of Rolder's Promise for the Future

As soon as the news of Rolder's signing with the Lions hit the market, fans came out in large numbers to try to understand the logic behind the pick.

"I f****n hate to say this, but Jimmy Rolder isn't worth a 4th rd selection. Throw in the injury history, maybe an undrafted FA would've been the correct grade," said a fan who was clearly not amused.

Though there were a few negative comments, some focused on the draft success Detroit has enjoyed over the years, implying that this could be a pick that eventually works out.

"I love how Lions fans always b****at Brads picks yet this is going on what year 5 of very very good outcomes from the draft," a comment read.

Had Rolder not been picked, he'd have gone undrafted, allowing the franchise to sign the player for better financials, implying that it wasn't the best use of the pick no. 118.

"Ha ha, what a terrible pick. Dude was headed to UDFA," said another, seconding the above statement.

Some fans even pointed to better picks at that moment, considering the choices Detroit had.

"Kilgore, Louis, or Lawson all would have been better…Rolder is mid in coverage," said another.

A few fans even saw the upside of promising numbers, but couldn't look past the injury history.

"Hmmm...Great motor but can't stay healthy," another fan pointed out.

All in all, there didn't seem to be a clear consensus on the upside vs downside on the Michigan prospect. While some have discarded the pick as a bad decision, others see a ray of hope. Moreover, some think it wasn't the player as much as it was the pick.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Sourav Ganguly

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote