The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears saw a big subtraction from their linebackers rooms this offseason.
The Lions let Anzalone walk in free agency, which was expected, and the Bears cut Tremaine Edmunds, leaving a void in the middle of their defense.
While the Lions have a strong trio in Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez, they could use more competition for their depth role, and Rodriguez is only on a one-year deal, so he could be gone in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Bears could use more competition for multiple roles, including for one of their starting spots, and the depth behind it.
Lions, Bears have interest in Michigan linebacker.
Knowing all that, it comes as no surprise that the Lions and Bears are showing interest in Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
"The Detroit Lions, who lost Alex Anzalone in free agency, have shown a lot of interest in Rolder," Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline reported.
"[Rolder] has official-30 visits set up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, and Chicago Bears," Pauline also noted.
Jimmy Rolder scouting report
Rolder stepped into a starting role with the Wolverines last season and finished with 73 combined tackles, one interception, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rolder did a little bit of everything well, with the Michigan product posting a pass-rush grade of 62.3, a coverage grade of 65.4 and a run defense grade of 80.1.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com is quite high on Rolder in his scouting report, saying he believes Rolder can be a starting linebacker at the next level.
Zierlein considers Rolder just average in coverage, but is impressed with the prospect's ability to play the run, which shows up in his PFF grade.
Here's more from Zierlein:
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.
The lack of starting experience might be a concern to teams when it comes to drafting Rolder, but as Zierlein says, it's all about what he put on tape.
Draft projections have Rolder as a Day 3 pick, so don't be surprised to see the Lions and Bears maneuvering on the final day of the draft to get in position to land the Michigan linebacker, who could prove to be a steal that late in the draft.
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