Green Bay Packers rookie report following first quarter of 2016 season
By Kenn Korb
Dean Lowry
This is a loaded roster, with many talented players across just about all positions. The defensive line may not be the first one people look to, but there is a reason this defensive unit is stopping the run better than any team in history through four games.
Guys like Daniels and Guion lead the charge, with people like Lowry’s fellow rookie Clark adding in a bundle of snaps as well. Combine that with his limited skill set (he was picked in the draft purely for his run defense; his pass rush ability is virtually non-existent) and it’s no wonder we haven’t seen much of Lowry so far.
It probably doesn’t help either that when he has been on the field, he hasn’t done all that well. PFF grades his run defense has been somewhat below-average, and his pass rushing contributions are far below replacement-level. He doesn’t add anything in terms of special teams capabilities either (just 6 snaps there).
Barring a slew of injuries, there isn’t any reason for the Packers to even bother trying to get him more snaps at this point. His fellow defensive linemen are just better, more dynamic options — both as pass rushers as well as in run defense — and should continue receiving the high number of defensive snaps they’ve garnered so far.