The Detroit Lions have gotten to the upper echelon of the NFC and they’ve done it with a core of homegrown players. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson and Penei Sewell are just some of the cornerstones the Lions have pulled from the draft in recent years and it has them in good shape to compete for a championship next season.

Because of their homegrown roots, the Lions haven’t had to go too far to add talent. But in most cases the talent coming in finds it to be a tall task to crack the roster, leaving one free agent signing to become a disappointment during minicamp.

Roy Lopez Faces Uphill Battle to Make Lions Roster After Minicamp

The Lions signed Roy Lopez this offseason in an effort to build depth on the interior of the defensive line. Detroit had some questions with the group after Alim McNeill tore his ACL last December and DJ Reader and Levi Onwuzurike had uncertain futures with Reader’s underwhelming first season in Detroit and Onwuzurike approaching free agency.

Lopez signed with the intention to learn from Dan Campbell for a coaching career when he’s done playing but he also has the chance to contribute to the Lions with snaps available. With a positive review from those around his previous stop with the Arizona Cardinals, Lopez had the look of an under the radar signing that could pay big dividends.

Unfortunately, those snaps dried up when Owuzurike re-signed and the Lions doubled down on their need by selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. With McNeill on the mend, it buys some time for Lopez to earn his way onto the team, but there hasn’t been much steam on the 27-year-old as minicamp approaches.

Williams has been on the sidelines as he’s nursed a hamstring issue but he should be good to go by training camp. Lopez could still make the roster if McNeill isn’t ready to go by Week 1, but it’s looking more like he won’t be able to make the impact many were hoping for when he signed earlier this spring.