BREAKING: Green Bay Packers select Dean Lowry, DL, Northwestern, 137

Lowry is fairly tall at 6’6″ and 296 lbs., but with 31″ arms, he doesn’t have the typical arm length that you’d expect from a 5 technique defensive end. As such, he’s not much of a pass rush threat. He’s not a player that consistently gets loose off the edge on pass plays.

However, where Lowry really shines is in setting the edge and containing the run. He’s a high motor player who does not take snaps off. He’s a good tackler who will contain and make plays on runs toward his side of the line of scrimmage. Lowry is the sort of defensive end that allows linebackers to come up and make plays.

Team Fit (Ross Uglem): The Packers have needed length on their defensive line since the inception of the 3-4 defense.  For years, the Packers have stuck defensive tackle body types all along Dom Capers’ scheme with mixed results.  Lowry is long and very active.  The main concern for Lowry are his short 31″ arms.

His ability to consistently make plays in the backfield should afford him some snaps right away, and he is a tremendous athlete.  The Packers defensive line has been re-stocked.  Clark, Daniels, Boyd, Ringo, Lowry, Guion and Pennel provide different skill sets and depth for a once-concerning position group.

NFL Comp (Mike Wendlandt): Adam Carriker. With his extreme height and relatively short arms for it, he compares a lot to former 1^st round pick Carriker. He also plays a lot like a middle career version of Carriker, especially as a high motor end who can find the ball as well as any lineman in the Big Ten. It showed during his game against Nebraska where he had 6 TFL. He also doesn’t miss tackles and had more stops than Joey Bosa. His heart and length are major strengths for a d-line that needs depth.