With their final pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Texans chose Arizona defensive tackle Roy Lopez in the sixth round at 195th overall.
A nose tackle last season, he tallied 18 tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack in five games with the Wildcats.
"I'm someone that's humble, hungry, coming to compete and work, and just try to bring out the best in myself and my teammates and my coaches," Lopez said. "I'll be putting in extra time and just compete to win some games."
Lopez began his collegiate career at New Mexico State, where he played all across the defensive front from 2016 through 2019. He started 32 games with the Aggies, and transferred to Arizona for the 2020 campaign.
General manager Nick Caserio described Lopez being "tough as nails", who understands how to play with leverage. Caserio highlighted a few more of the defensive lineman's most attractive qualities.
"He did like 36 bench presses or something like that, so has good playing strength," Caserio said. "High football character and make up, which is important to the overall development of the player."
At Mesquite High School in Tempe, Arizona, Lopez won a pair of state wrestling titles. He explained how his wrestling background has been "huge" in helping him on the gridiron.
"Using my body leverage and my hands, and just being able to control my body weight, and keep going throughout four quarters and always have a tank," Lopez said. "It's something that I'll always lean on and I plan to keep using it."
Lopez is the third Arizona Wildcat ever drafted by Houston, joining defensive lineman Earl Mitchell (2010) and outside linebacker Brooks Reed (2011).
He rounded out the five-man draft class for the Texans in 2021.
| ROUND (OVERALL PICK) | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 3 (67) | QB DAVIS MILLS, STANFORD |
| 3 (89) FROM CAROLINA | WR NICO COLLINS, MICHIGAN |
| 5 (147) | TE BREVIN JORDAN, MIAMI (FL) |
| 5 (170) FROM LOS ANGELES RAMS | LB GARRET WALLOW, TCU |
