OVERVIEW
The Chicago Tribune All-State pick decided to stay in-state to play for a Wildcats legend in head coach Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. Like Fitzgerald was during his time as a two-time Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award winner with the Wildcats, Lowry is a lunch pail player who brings effort on every snap. He?s also a better athlete than most people realize, showing the agility to spin off blocks and make plays in the backfield (15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks in 2013-2014). His senior year capped an excellent career, with a highlight being his school-record six tackles for loss against Nebraska. He finished as a second-team All-Big Ten honoree with 46 tackles, 13.5 for loss, and three sacks. Lowry could play multiple spots along the line depending on his new team?s defensive scheme.

STRENGTHS Comes off the snap with burst and good pad level. Gives chase on the backside with great motor and good play speed. Willing to pursue the ball with consistency or effort. When pad level is good, can generate effective speed-­to-­power attack. Has play frame to fit classic 3-­4 DE spot. Coaches praise his work ethic and team­-first mentality. Does the dirty work that helps others succeed. Always active. Tackle finisher who rarely allows runners to escape. Had as many tackles and more tackles for loss than Joey Bosa.
WEAKNESSES Short arms and small hands prevent him from posting higher win percentage at point of attack. Not as aware of the ball as he needs to be. Needs to unhinge from blockers earlier when runners are in his neighborhood. Gets stood straight up at contact as bull rusher. Pad level and narrow base rob him of bull-­rush power when rushing from inside. Dull, straight-ahead rusher with no pass rush plan. Doesn?t threaten the edges of blockers. Marginal play­making change of direction.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 7 or priority free agent

BOTTOM LINE Try-hard player with good size who is always active. While he won?t be considered a pass rushing threat, Lowry?s production was a function of effort and flashes of power and the aforementioned traits and qualities give him a good shot at being drafted and becoming an NFL backup.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 7 or priority free agent

That's it.
How dare Teddy take a UDFA in the 4th round.

Who does he think he is?
[biggrin]

Seriously if he can be a run stopper that will be huge.

Classic Ted Thompson "high motor" guy.

Fits our rotation at DL.

Okay pick.


IMO either of two small school players, Matt Judon (Grand Valley State) or Justin Zimmer (Ferris State) would have been better.
Zimmer is DT, so won't offer the same position if we're thinking of filling a particular need with this pick, but he's a better rotation DT than Lowry is a rotation DE.

Judon is raw because of the small school background, but has real upside, whereas Lowry is pretty much what he is.
And, IMO, Judon is better now than Lowry is despite that background.

I don't hate either DL pick that Thompson made. Both will contribute and Clark will be an improvement over Raji.
I just have a sneaking suspicion that time will show Ted could have done better.

But with the exception of the ILB position -- where I'm convinced the Martinez pick means ILB will be the weakest position on the team -- he has done just about everything I hoped he'd do in terms of hitting positions of need.

Now just need a speed WR or RB.

I heard he's a brute. Good.