Green Bay Packers: Dean Lowry, a forgotten man

With all the moves made this offseason it is easy to forget that Green Bay Packers defensive end Dean Lowry is continuing to get better at his job.

He may never be more than a functional starter or a good depth player, but Dean Lowry is continuing to build on a solid start to his NFL career.

Kenny Clark and Mike Daniels are the most recognizable names along the Green Bay Packers defensive line but Lowry is a little more than just another guy. When Muhammad Wilkerson’s season ended in week four last year, Lowry handled the workload nicely.

With eight starts in 16 games, Lowry finished with a career-high 44 tackles and three sacks. As he enters the last year of his rookie contract, Lowry is not a household name and he may never be. But that’s ok because he hopes to be a solid contributor on an improved Packers defense while he continues to expand his game.

“I felt stronger at the point of attack,” Lowry said in his exit interview at the end of 2018. “I think I had some good knockback throughout the year on the line of scrimmage (and) got off blocks pretty good. Overall, made some progress.”

Progress has been the name of the game for Lowry since his fourth-round selection in 2016. His production as far as tackles, sacks, quarterback hits, and hurries have all improved over the last three years.

Now, as he enters his second season under defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, Lowry aims to become more comfortable in the defensive system. Considering the Packers most recent offseason decisions, Lowry who is still only 25-years-old should expect to see a larger role next season.

The Green Bay Packers did not re-sign Wilkerson instead opting to select Kingsley Keke in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Keke is a very athletic defensive tackle with the potential to slide over to end in certain instances. Then, there is also Montravius Adams entering his third season. Adams showed promise down the stretch of 2018 but is likely still a slot below Lowry on the depth chart.

Lowry has a lot riding on the 2019 season if he plans to remain in Green Bay for years to come. Daniels has been the team’s top defensive end for the past few years but enters the final year of his contract and will turn 31 next offseason. Even at 25, Lowry will be much cheaper on the open market.

Lowry will be watched closely in 2019. Expectations from himself and his coaches have increased. He has found his niche as a reliable run stopper, however, his pass rush abilities are improving as well. Following an offseason where he and the personnel around him have upgraded, his numbers could improve once again.

“Physically this is the best I’ve ever felt,” he said via Packers.com. “I’m in a very good place right now, with strength and speed, so I’m really excited about this year.”

Lowry will probably begin training camp as the starter opposite of Daniels but it will be up to him to hold that spot throughout the season. The Green Bay Packers have plenty of young and ascending talent who will be fighting for reps.  Lowry won’t worry about those gunning for his job as he plans to focus on “playing fast” and “letting it rip” in year four.

That said, Packers fans may want to keep an eye on number 94 in 2019.