Report: Lions to sign NT Roy Lopez to 1-year deal

The Detroit Lions have scored a second deal in free agency, inking defensive tackle Roy Lopez to a one-year deal.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Detroit Lions are signing nose tackle Roy Lopez to a one-year contract worth $4.65 million .

Lopez was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans and started 29 games during his first two seasons in the NFL. During 2023 training camp, Lopez was waived with an injury settlement and later joined the Arizona Cardinals . During his two seasons in the desert, Lopez started another 21 games, including all 16 games he played in last season.

At 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds, Lopez lines up primarily a 0/1-technique pure nose tackle and is a better run defender than pass rusher. Over his career, he’s averaging 35 tackles per season, but as a pass rusher, he has only accumulated three sacks and 60 career pressures (per PFF)—though his PFF grades aren’t anything special, but they rarely are for a nose tackle.

In Detroit, look for Lopez to rotate snaps with DJ Reader at nose tackle—who will be 31 years old this season and should benefit from additional help—while also giving the Lions another experienced veteran who can spot start when needed. This signing could also be an indication that Brodric Martin has not developed as quickly as the Lions coaches would have hoped.

On paper, signing a run stuffing nose tackle may not move the needle for some fans, but Lopez is widely considered a consistently improving player who has not yet hit his developmental ceiling.

Keep up to date on the latest Lions free agency moves with our 2025 Detroit Lions offseason tracker and contract/depth chart tracker .