The Detroit Lions have built a winning foundation through smart drafting and strong player development. With stars like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, and Penei Sewell all homegrown, the Lions haven’t needed to rely heavily on big-name free agents. But when they do bring someone in, the expectation is clear: contribute or get left behind.
That brings us to Roy Lopez.
The Lions added Lopez this offseason to shore up depth on the defensive line, especially after Alim McNeill’s ACL tear last December and a lackluster debut season from DJ Reader. At first, Lopez looked like a sneaky-good addition—an experienced run-stuffer with solid reps in Arizona and a future in coaching. But fast forward to June, and Lopez is already on the bubble.
The re-signing of Levi Onwuzurike and the drafting of Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams drastically changed the picture. On top of that, McNeill’s recovery is progressing well, and Williams—despite a hamstring issue—should be full-go by training camp. Simply put, the opportunity Lopez hoped for might already be slipping away.
Unless injuries reopen the door, Lopez may find himself on the outside looking in. It’s a reminder that cracking this Lions roster isn’t easy anymore—and that’s a good problem for Detroit to have.
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