The Detroit Lions might have added defensive tackle Roy Lopez from the Arizona Cardinals with hopes he could help clog the middle against the run, but the way they approached the 2025 NFL Draft indicates his role could be limited this season.
Detroit selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round. Though considered a bit of a reach by many, the Lions clearly valued his ability to stop the run and felt confident making the pick.
Williams joins a defensive tackle group that already includes dependable veteran DJ Reader, newly extended Alim McNeill, and injury-prone former second-rounder Levi Onwuzurike. What was once a thin unit has suddenly become a deep and potentially dominant group.
Lopez might have signed thinking he’d start, but the Lions’ latest draft and roster decisions suggest he’s more likely to be on the outside of the rotation, despite starting all 16 games for Arizona just last year.
Previously a starter in Houston, Lopez played a full season in Arizona in 2024, but the team didn’t bring him back. Detroit offered him a one-year deal, believing he could provide experienced depth to the line.
Reader and McNeill project to open the year as starters, but Williams seems poised to push for major snaps early. That leaves Lopez battling Onwuzurike for what could be the final rotational spot at defensive tackle.
Onwuzurike might hold an edge over Lopez because of his system familiarity and more developed pass-rush skills. Lopez had only 28 tackles and one sack last season, suggesting he may be a limited-skill depth option in Detroit’s scheme.
For Lopez to earn a role, he’ll need to prove to Dan Campbell that he’s both more reliable than Onwuzurike and more deserving of snaps than the team’s top draft investment. That’s a massive challenge for the veteran lineman.