Free agent film study: What the Detroit Lions are getting in nose tackle Roy Lopez

Allen Park — We’re moving on to our next film study of the Detroit Lions' offseason additions. After taking a closer look at cornerback D.J. Reed on Monday, let’s shift our focus to defensive tackle Roy Lopez.

The format for these posts will include a short bio, recent statistics, injury history, athletic profile, schematic usage, and a comprehensive evaluation of the player’s skill set with supporting clips from their 2024 tape.

Games watched

Full games against Buffalo, Detroit, New England, Minnesota and San Francisco (Week 18) and parts of several others.

Bio

An all-state offensive and defensive lineman and two-time state champion as a heavyweight wrestler in high school, Lopez committed to New Mexico State, where he was a four-year contributor. He finished his college career at Arizona, where he earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 after recording 18 tackles (4.0 for a loss) and a sack during a COVID-shortened, five-game season in 2020.

Selected in the sixth round by the Houston Texans in 2021 (No. 195 overall), Lopez played two years for the franchise, making 29 starts and averaging more than 500 defensive snaps per season. He recorded 67 tackles and 2.0 sacks during that stretch.

Lopez was released ahead of the 2023 season with an injury settlement (hamstring). He signed on to Arizona’s practice squad later that month and was elevated to the team’s 53-man roster after three days.

In two seasons with the Cardinals, Lopez appeared in 30 games, tallying another 70 tackles. He registered a single sack and 33 quarterback pressures during his time in Arizona.