Lions make a move for veteran defender in free agency.
The Detroit Lions have made another addition to the defense, signing Roy Lopez to a one-year, $4.65 million contract. The four-year veteran agreed to the deal on Tuesday, per Tom Pelissero on X, formerly Twitter.
“Former #Cardinals nose tackle Roy Lopez is signing a one-year, $4.65 million deal with the #Lions, per source.”
The former Cardinals nose tackle recorded 70 tackles (six for a loss) four QB hits, three pass deflections and one forced fumble in the last two seasons as a key member of Arizona's defense.
The 2025 NFL Combine is underway and the Detroit Lions are in draft mode, but they're also in free agency mode as well. Lions GM Brad Holmes took to the podium in Indy and let out a little bit of information on a free agent they're looking at when talking about the Lions defensive line.
"I was looking at our game at Arizona in Week 3. We're looking at a free agent."
We wondered who that could be and now we know. The Lions are signing former Cardinals nose tackle Roy Lopez to a one-year deal
The former sixth-round pick out of Arizona has been in the league since the 2021 season and he has been a starter the entire time. He started out with the Houston Texans and then signed with the Cardinals in 2023. He played two seasons there and started every game he played.
Lopez specializes in run stuffing and he is instantly going to be a big part of the Lions' interior defensive line. At 27 years old, he gives the Lions a shot at a long-term future at the position with DJ Reader being 31 years old when the 2025 season starts and also being in the last year of his deal.
Lopez does offer some pass rush ability, he had 18 pressures and a sack in 2024, but the reality is that you're really looking for Lopez to be a space eater much like Reader, but with the ability to be a little more athletic. At 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds, Lopez certainly has the size.
This signing isn't likely to be one that gets Lions fans super excited, but it should because it helps shore up the interior and brings some strength to the line. Honselty, don't be surprised if this guy starts Week 1. Also, do yourself a favor and don't pay attention to the PFF grades on this one. They are historically really hard on all nose tackles and nobody understands why.
