Green Bay Packers: Analysis of every 2016 NFL Draft pick

Round 4: Dean Lowry, DL

Another defensive lineman, but different from what the Packers currently employ on their line.

Lowry is what you would call a 5-technique end. A quick lesson on what that means: the technique number (listed 0-9; also includes “i” denotations for certain aspects) for a guy is based on where players line up in accordance to the offensive line; a 0-tech would line up directly over the center, a 1-tech lines on either of the center’s shoulders, out to a 9-tech lining up on the outer shoulder of a blocking tight end.

For a 5-technique player, his spot lines him on the outside shoulder of either tackle on the line. The Packers haven’t actually had a guy who really sets up in that place recently; having one now gives the defense another option for how to attack an offense.

Lowry isn’t a dynamic player, but he has been a good one. He has good size and constantly tries hard; coaches and teammates praise him for that effort and devoted mentality, doing the dirty work without complaint. Combine that with some decent power, and he’s the type of player a team needs in the rotation.

His weaknesses are obvious. He has short arms, and his pure athleticism is unable overshadow where his other weak points lie. He has only one move (the bull rush) and his awareness must be improved upon.

His game against Nebraska showed it all. I found myself noticing him getting eaten up and rendered dormant for long stretches; he never gave up, but he just couldn’t get through blockers. That was blindingly obvious on passing downs; outside of a couple times where he got in the way of screen passes, I don’t remember seeing him get to the quarterback once.

He showed off what he does well too though. His run defense is his calling card, and there were a handful of plays where he blew up the play in the backfield. He could be beaten at times, but his try-hard mentality had him right there on a large percentage of the plays he was involved in regardless.

I also saw him actually drop into the flat zone a few times; those plays didn’t end up involving him, but his willingness to be used in that fashion point to his versatility (he was used all across the line at different times) and that team-first mentality (some guys who know their best spot — in the 5-tech in Lowry’s case — wouldn’t be so willing to put themselves at a disadvantage) he exhibits.

He won’t ever be a pass rusher, but his run game work and never-quit hustle give him a great opportunity to be a two-down player in the rotation.

Next: Trevor Davis