Cardinals bolster interior DL with Roy Lopez
Top 150 ranking: 108
Reported deal: 2 years, $11.5 million
Grade: A
Lopez is a run-stuffing nose tackle with a stout, strong lower half and quick feet. He can take on double-teams. He can cover two gaps when taking on a lineman one-on-one, showing the ability to stack, read the running back and shed. Lopez also has some pass-rush upside because of a relentless motor and the vision to find lanes late in downs. The Cardinals defense struggled against the run last year, finishing 25th in EPA per designed rush and 24th in defensive success rate, according to TruMedia. Lopez will give the unit a lift in this phase, with Nick Rallis staying on as coordinator under new coach Mike LaFleur. — Popper