NFL.COM:
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. Hes 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 teams defensive scheme.
ANALYSIS
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. Doesnt threaten the edges of blockers. Marginal playmaking change of direction.DRAFT PROJECTION
Round 7 or priority free agentBOTTOM LINE
Try-hard player with good size who is always active. While he wont be considered a pass rushing threat, Lowrys 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.PLAYER OVERVIEW
An impact player since arriving on campus, Lowry quietly improved every season, culminating with a consensus second team All-Big Ten senior year in which he ranked second on the team with 13.5 tackles for loss.
While he did not have a truly standout seasons on the national stage, he did earn an invitation to the Shrine Game, where he was a standout during practices.
"I feel like I'm playing my best football right now," Lowry said in November. "I can't really say I've had excellent years in previous years that put me on the radar. I think I'm just getting better each season, and that's what I've done so far."
As a junior, Lowry recorded 4.0 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 41 total tackles. He also finished second on the team with eight pass break-ups, using his size and wingspan to obstruct passing lanes and knock down throws at the line of scrimmage.
He started nine games in 2013, finishing second on the team with 7.0 tackles for loss and third with 4.5 sacks. Lowry was one of four freshmen to crack the Wildcats' lineup in 2012, recording 14 tackles, 3.0 TFL and six QB hurries in 13 games as a reserve.
STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS: Heavy-handed and uses his momentum and natural lean to put blockers on their heels at the point of attack. Able to use his natural lean and first step momentum to generate power and move blockers from their spot. He sets the edge in the run game and is quick to diagnose and put himself in position to be opportunistic.He plays fast a never with anything less than full effort. Practiced at the Shrine Game with the same killer instinct and competitive drive that made him effective at Northwestern.
WEAKNESSES: For a player of his size, Lowry has short, disproportionate arms. Lacks ideal explosive traits for the next level and needs to develop his pass rush moves to not be so predictable off the snap. Unimaginative pass rush strategy and needs to better set up his moves instead of forcing his way through blockers each play.
Needs to develop his counters, allowing his rush to stall once initial momentum is slowed. Relies more on timing than burst. Can drop in space, but marginal change of direction skills limits his potential off the line of scrimmage.
IN OUR VIEW: He doesn't play with anything less than full effort and that hustle, along with his instincts, allows him to be effective containing the edge. Lowry lacks athletic twitch and move-to-move transition to be a consistent pass rush threat in the NFL, but his initial power and unrelenting play style wears down blockers.
He lacks ideal traits to start at the next level, but shows the recognition skills and versatility to play various scheme techniques as a reserve.
--Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) (2/21/16)
