Braking roller for systems for cutting metal bands into strips, characterized in that it comprises a rotating and motorized (21) shaft (20), with two supported (in 33) end pins (22, 23), which in a central side surface (24) carries a series of idle pulleys (25), axially held (in 27), in said central side surface (24) there being provided at least one recess (30) inside which there is arranged at least one inflatable element (29) above which there is arranged at least one wear element (34) that is made to abut inwards of each idle pulley (25). The roller can be used both into a tow group and as braking bridle or as baffle roller according to the specific need.