The Houston Texans added depth to their defensive line with the selection of defensive tackle Roy Lopez from Arizona with the No. 195 overall pick in Round 6 of the 2021 NFL draft.
Lopez collected 18 combined tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack in five games as a graduate transfer with the Wildcats in 2020.
The former New Mexico State Aggie had 136 combined tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, four pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in 39 games from 2016-19.
Lopez, who stands 6-2, 318 pounds, may play more one-technique for the Texans in their new Tampa-2 scheme with a 4-3 front.
Taking Lopez is part of the culture of competition the Texans are seeking to establish under general manager Nick Caserio.
“It’s going to be about a continuation of just continuing to add competition, just, what we try to do from day one is to create a culture of competition, selflessness, and toughness and add players,” Caserio told reporters at the end of day two on April 30. “And you’ve seen through the myriad of transactions throughout the course of the spring what we’re trying to do.”