What Should the Packers Do with Dean Lowry?

Could the Packers move on from the veteran defensive lineman? 

The calendar now reads June and that means that the dead cap hit of releasing veterans under contract for the coming season can now be stretched over two years. That makes it easier and more beneficial to release players after June 1.

The one player that has been mentioned most as a potential post-June 1st cut candidate is defensive lineman Dean Lowry. So, what should the Packers do with the veteran defensive lineman?

Lowry will have a cap hit of $8,072,000.00 this season according to both overthecap.com and spotrac.com. The Packers could save $5.95 million against the cap in 2022 if they let Lowry go before the start of the season.

But is that the right move? The former Northwestern star is coming off a career-best statistical season. He recorded five sacks and nine quarterback hits, both of which were career highs. He also made 42 total tackles and five tackles for loss while appearing in all 17 games for the Packers.

Lowry has a strong work ethic and maximizes his talent. He is also durable. Since the Packers selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, he has missed only one game and that came in his rookie season. Lowry is the kind of player who doesn’t always show up in the box score but does the little things that allow his teammates to make plays by occupying blockers and being in the right position at the right time.

Lowry will be 28 later this month and is in the final year of his contract. He should be able to continue to play at roughly the same level in 2022 as he did in 2020 and 2021 if he continues to stay healthy. Is he worth an $8 million cap hit? Probably not, but he is a useful player and a solid contributor to the defense.

There are two main reasons Lowry may be expendable this season. One is his high cap hit and the other is that the Packers have more depth along the defensive line now than they’ve had in recent memory.

The Packers still have Pro Bowler Kenny Clark to anchor the line. Clark has predominantly lined up on the nose but can also line up outside. He is one of the few interior defensive linemen in the league who can occupy multiple blockers at the line of scrimmage against the run or penetrate against the run or pass and get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

T.J. Slaton is looking to build off his rookie season and the Packers are hoping he can be a solid run stuffer in the middle who can add an occasional push in the pass rush from the inside.

The Packers also signed free agent Jarran Reed. The veteran may not be able to match his career-high of 10.5 sacks that he recorded in 2018, but he can still be a reliable part of the rotation and see significant action along the defensive line.

GM Brian Gutekunst used one of the Packers first round draft picks on Devonte Wyatt out of Georgia who is expected to see playing time as part of the rotation as soon as he makes the adjustment to the NFL. Wyatt is very quick off the ball and should eventually give the Packers another talented and dynamic player along the defensive line.

The Packers also drafted big Jonathan Ford in the seventh round of this year’s draft and have second-year man Jack Heflin returning to training camp to fight for a roster spot.

With only three starters and a five or six man rotation at the position, the Packers may feel that they are in a good enough position along the defensive line where they are better off saving nearly $6 million in cap space which is money the team needs to sign their practice squad and to possibly add another moderately-priced free agent or two either before training camp starts (like De’Vondre Campbell last year) or during the season (like Whitney Mercilus and Rasul Douglas) when injuries strike.

The decision isn’t an easy one. Lowry is reliable, coachable and a popular player in the locker room. He has experience and is coming off his best season in the first year of Joe Barry’s defense. The defensive line has been a question mark for the Packers for many years and now that they have a lot of potential depth there, would weakening this area to add more cap space be worth it at this time?

This is a tough question for Gutekunst and the coaching staff to answer. We may know their position on this sooner rather than later.

 

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9 points
 

Comments (59)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Packers0808's picture

June 02, 2022 at 12:19 pm

Exactly said near end of article as to what I was thinking. Why weaken the newest strength of the team the D? Already lost one the Smith Bros. that the consequence of is still really known!

10 points
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Turophile's picture

June 02, 2022 at 12:25 pm

Just as depth has got a little better on the D line now, doesn't mean you just go and make the position thinner.

Lowry played well last year and is a solid rotation piece. Even though he used to be the player many fans wanted gone, I'm not one of them. He will never be spectacular, but he is somewhat better than average and stays healthy - all teams need a guy like that and he should stay until the Packers find a guy equally good (or better) and cheaper.

15 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

June 02, 2022 at 12:44 pm

I agree. I wanted Lowry gone, but last year showed he is the kind of guy that can actually increase his production with fewer snaps.

He may be a trade candidate later to recoup value if he is truly an unnecessary luxury, but for the dead cap hit due to his restructure I'd rather just see him play out the year strong and reap the benefit, get overpaid next year by someone else, and get a low comp pick out of the equation.

5 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 03:10 pm

He had more snaps last year than any year since 2018 and the 2nd most in his career.

3 points
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Matt Gonzales's picture

June 03, 2022 at 11:29 am

Thanks for letting me know and I stand corrected.

0 points
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mnbadger's picture

June 03, 2022 at 07:59 pm

IMO, we have a cheaper version of DLow on the roster right now in Heflin. Nothing at all against him, and he'll land squarely on his feet when he's gone, but save the money for future insurance.
GPG!

2 points
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splitpea1's picture

June 02, 2022 at 12:24 pm

I wouldn't do it unless they're planning to use the money on a veteran edge rusher or safety.

8 points
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jhtobias's picture

June 02, 2022 at 12:58 pm

It depends you just dont cut a guy who is a decent player because he is a luxury unless you have a plan.

If your going to use the money to extend jenkins or gary or amos . Thats fair they bring more value. If your goinh to use the money to add a 3rd edge rusher ok.

I really dont see liwrey getting cut unless he totally flops this summer

8 points
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Dragon5's picture

June 02, 2022 at 02:13 pm

Lowry = depth.

DT Jarran Reed & DE Preston Smith are likely busts (often hurt / IR) this year.

I would like to know which of our DTs are capable of playing DE & vice versa.

-13 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 04:02 pm

Reed has played 1563 snaps the last two years, that's hardly being oft injured. That's 190 snaps more than Kenny Clark has played the last two years.

Preston Smith is a OLB. He's not counted when you're talking about the DT group.

7 points
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Dragon5's picture

June 02, 2022 at 11:28 pm

I clearly stated Smith as a DE, not DT.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitPr00.htm

You misinterpreted my oft injured statement...I said THIS YEAR.

Try digesting content before getting your underwear in a bunch; think before you type.

-3 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 03, 2022 at 08:27 am

That's fine, except Smith is a OLB. He is definitely not a 3-4 DE. The Packers have played a 3-4 defense since 2009.

1 points
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Dragon5's picture

June 03, 2022 at 09:20 am

Regardless of his position, he, like Reed, is likely to disappoint, be it performance or attendance on the field this season.

-3 points
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Zapato's picture

June 02, 2022 at 02:18 pm

You used a lot of qualifiers in describing the potential impact of people not named Kenny Clark. "Hoping," "may not" and "expected" aren't going to cut it when describing a good defensive line. We know what we get with Lowry. He's a dependable, steady performer week after week after week. Maybe deep into training camp if the others show they can exceed Dean Lowry's ability this year or if they really need the cap space for other veteran signings, okay. But I say stand pat with the seasoned veteran until you can definitively say you've got something better.

13 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

June 02, 2022 at 05:14 pm

I would keep six, minimum, for the Dline crew.

1 points
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dobber's picture

June 03, 2022 at 07:57 am

I think this is where we're going to start seeing a shift in roster construction and game-day actives: I think the Packers will utilize more DL than in the past--the quality depth appears to be there, whereas it's not so certain at OLB. They'll get more passing down work out of their DEs than in past years which will take some heat off Gary and Smith, and I think that ability to establish a regular rotation without dramatic dropoff in play will pay off longer term.

3 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

June 03, 2022 at 10:50 am

Quay Walker gives them the SLB/MLB guy to shift their front into full 4-2/ 4-3 sets with two DTs and the two, DE/Elephnats hand on the ground guys that can standup if they choose given their reads on the offensive formations. Bring back the Fritz...

2 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 03, 2022 at 01:26 pm

I'm wondering if we might see them use the Mint Fronts that Georgia uses quite a bit where they play a Tite Front with 3 IDL and one Edge. It's a way to get 7 guys that can cover on the field. Then you can green dog blitz one of the ILBs and still have a 6 on 4 in coverage advantage.

1 points
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Roadrunner23's picture

June 02, 2022 at 02:29 pm

There is no rush to do anything with Lowery at this time.

The Packer’s right now are in good shape with the salary cap and who knows what will happen in training camp guys get injured etc.
Also as the article stated lowery is a very popular player in the locker room and a steady presence on the defensive line, so why get rid of him?

Conversely He could be trade bait as again guys on other teams get injured during training camp as well and somebody may need a good veteran defensive lineman.

Or they could tear up his contract offer him a three-year extension and lessen his cap hit that way, but this is the most unlikely scenario.

There’s no rush let’s see what happens.

7 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 04:23 pm

They could ask him to reduce his salary but would probably have to offer something in return. Maybe offer to extend him a year and give him some cash upfront in a bonus. Gives them time to look for a 3-4 DE type in the draft next year and gives the rookie time to get his feet wet.

3 points
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Swisch's picture

June 02, 2022 at 02:34 pm

It's interesting how some fans will quibble over a solid contributor and good guy earning about $8 million, but bow before an arrogant jerk who holds the team hostage for two straight off-seasons and then gets rewarded with a contract for $50 million.
They blame special teams for a playoff loss, although the combined salaries for all of them may be half of what we're paying the diva quarterback who missed a receiver running wide open in a key moment that would have put us in excellent position for the victory.
You win with guys like Dean Lowry, on and off the field.
You lose with guys like Aaron Rodgers. You lose playoff games, and you lose your integrity.

-3 points
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Johnblood27's picture

June 02, 2022 at 07:41 pm

you can't lose what you never had.

Howdy Doody??? Pulling all of Guteys strings...

Pandering MLF???

Play it out until the summer of LOVE in 2023...

-1 points
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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

June 02, 2022 at 08:19 pm

Swisch, you are my spirit animal.

0 points
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blondy45's picture

June 03, 2022 at 11:01 am

I too want to retain Lowry for his $8 million contract. He has played better lately and has always been available to play. He is a team player that Rodgers is not. Lowery wants to be in Green Bay, not Rodgers. Rodgers speaks of getting his MVP awards, not so much of winning the Super Bowl.

I have a problem with any player who does not take part in team activities whether it is because they have made their money, reputation from past year's performances, or feeling confident they are better than their teammates. Respect is gained through working to earn their spot on the team. Football is a team sport that requires players to be in synch with the coaches, teammates, & timing to make their plays work. When any player puts himself above the team, the team will suffer. Sometimes the weaker link is not the 53rd player on the roster, it is the player{s} who do it their way, not the team's designed way.

Let us see if all show up for mandatory minicamp next week. We will see where the weak links are. I bet Lowry will be there making himself & his teammates better. I am tired of the Packers making excuses for certain players. Be at camp or pay the consequences. Even if a player is returning from an injury, he needs to be with his teammates & coaches. Build the trust required to succeed in the NFL.

1 points
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Nate-1980's picture

June 03, 2022 at 01:40 pm

You don’t get to the playoffs without Rodgers ha, all you geniuses who want him gone are in for a rude awakening when that happens..

1 points
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dobber's picture

June 03, 2022 at 03:25 pm

...and yet, at some point in the not-too-distant future, it WILL happen.

2 points
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blondy45's picture

June 03, 2022 at 04:54 pm

The sooner the better. I cannot wait to see if Rodgers adjusts to a non-tunnel vision offense. My bet is he will belly ache that the players are not in their exact location. Can Rodgers adjust? My guess is he will not. All of you Rodger's zombie followers will soon see yet another side of Rodgers diva whining. It will always be someone else's fault. Rodgers can do no wrong ....in his mind. Come on Aaron, show up for camp & blend in with your teammates. Let me see that 50-million-dollar man prove your worth. Show all of us Rodger's disbelievers we are wrong.

0 points
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Johnblood27's picture

June 06, 2022 at 08:22 am

maybe Im just dying to play the under on W-L for the GBP and lay some long green on the GBP NOT making the playoffs?

How the hell do you know my motivation and whether or not I would be happy?

So... PISS OFF! ...genius.

-1 points
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egbertsouse's picture

June 02, 2022 at 02:42 pm

Cut Lowry. Addition by subtraction. However, I think Murphy has a rule that the team must carry at least one Northwestern guy to help him win at Jeopardy.

-13 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 04:25 pm

Cutting Lowry isn't addition by subtraction. He's the best DE they have. If he plays a majority of the snaps when they play with 3 D linemen and gets about 5 snaps at 3T a game as the last man in that rotation he would play about 200 snaps less than he did last year and might be more effective. He's a slightly above average 3-4 DE, it's when he moves inside that he struggles.

10 points
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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

June 02, 2022 at 08:20 pm

Addition by subtraction? Hes coming off a career year. For the first time in forever, dline is a strength for this team. Why compromise that?

5 points
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LeotisHarris's picture

June 02, 2022 at 03:19 pm

Just let Dean be. Let him keep showing up as a great teammate with his lunch pail and work ethic. It's never been flashy with him, but he's made some big plays and won more battles than he's lost. I don't think cutting him makes the Packers better.

16 points
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Minniman's picture

June 02, 2022 at 03:21 pm

Dean Lowry has a spot on the Packers D-Line until all the anointed "Second Comings of Reggie White" prove themselves and be better.

I personally think that he does his assignments generally satisfactorily. He's no stud, but he doesn't get moved around like a shopping cart either.

11 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 04:04 pm

"He's no stud, but he doesn't get moved around like a shopping cart either."

Did you watch the first couple of games last year?

0 points
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Minniman's picture

June 03, 2022 at 03:16 pm

Sure, LL, there's no denying that he had some up and down games, but I stand by my point that he was a net positive for the side over the fullness of the season. Yes, he's a little expensive for the output, but his replacement HAS to be consistently better before the Packers "chuck him"....... that's my main point.

FWIW, Larry McCarren over on the Packers site's Rock Report did a couple of segments last year showing Lowry having better plays (and against decent opposition too).

I think that the line as a whole played unselfishly last year, adapting to Barry's Contain and Constrict philosophy.

..... I am excited to see what all the new guys bring this year though. By virtue of the attention made to the D line this off-season, the Packers do see an element of truth to your gist

1 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 03, 2022 at 03:47 pm

I think he gets pushed around by double teams but that shouldn't be as much of a problem now. He'll be playing a majority of his snaps at the 4i-5T spots while Reed and Wyatt take the majority of the 3T snaps. My guess anyway.

0 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 03:38 pm

I think a lot depends on their plan for using 3 DL in the different iterations. Last year they played about 400 snaps in 3 DL formations, around 37%. If they plan on playing more base or 3-3-5 then keeping Lowry makes sense. But drafting Quay Walker might point to them using even more 2-4-5 which means even less snaps to spread around. That makes the $8 million salary a little less palatable.

I expect Wyatt and Reed to take the majority of the snaps at 3T so maybe he's more effective with the snaps he gets at DE.

5 points
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stockholder's picture

June 02, 2022 at 04:21 pm

I wouldn't just cut him. Unless they have someone else in mind. The money could be used to extend a player. But that won't happen. He'll be a Free Agent next year. I've always stated that the packers must honor contracts. He isn't injured. And it might be a smarter move to go slow with Devante Wyatt.

6 points
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PatrickGB's picture

June 02, 2022 at 06:01 pm

His nickname has become Rhino. Kenny Clark used, or maybe came up with, that nickname.He doesn’t have a lot of pass rush moves but I have confirmed his nickname by rewatching some of the games. He simply pushes linemen back. Others have remarked that Dean did not even realize how strong he was until last year. He complements the play of others. He has a role in Barry’s defense. Sure, they could save money by cutting him, but at what cost to the defense as a whole?

10 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 02, 2022 at 06:47 pm

I think a lot depends on their plan for the defense this year. Last year the IDL guys played about 2500 snaps. If that number stays the same with the depth this year Clark, Lowry and Reed(played 713 snaps for the Chiefs last year) could play less snaps and stay fresher. Slaton could end up playing about as many as Lancaster did last year or a little more. I could see it shake out like this:
Clark 700 snaps
Wyatt, Lowry and Reed about 450-500
Slaton 350-400.
If Slaton takes a big step maybe he plays even more and Clark plays 10 snaps less a game instead of 5.

1 points
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The_Baloney_Stops_Here's picture

June 02, 2022 at 06:52 pm

This is a no brainer. Keep him and play him. Hes coming off the best year of his career. Getting rid of him now would be foolish.

5 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 03, 2022 at 03:53 pm

You could make an argument for 2018 being his best season. Part of that might have been Daniels still being on the team but I think Daniels missed a few games that year. Lowry had the most solo tackles he's had in 2018 by quite a bit and his pressures were pretty similar.

0 points
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mnbadger's picture

June 06, 2022 at 09:07 pm

Sell high. trade him for safety help, wr experience or a good TE. GPG

1 points
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greengold's picture

June 02, 2022 at 08:08 pm

I appreciate the majority of Packer fans here wanting to keep the lunch pail-like player, Dean Lowry. He did have his best year last season, and I won’t argue that. I have nothing against him personally.

The problem is Lowry plays 5-Tech in a 3-4, and most 5-Techs in 3-4s today wind up playing more 3-Tech when the D is in Nickel. 3-4 alignments require 2-way players at DE or 5-Tech. Run stop + pass rush. Generally lined up outside shoulder of OT (which we rarely see with Lowry) but fluid to shift to 4-Tech, or 4i (inside shoulder of OT), where we see Lowry lining up most often - inside.

His numbers compared to other 5-Techs are on the lower end v. run, his primary responsibility. Run stop is the top priority for any 5-T. His pass rush numbers are decent, not great.

I just believe if you compared him to others around the NFL, you might question his value, even in pass rush. That’s my only concern with him, that we might get same or better production for far less.

He might be a value cut. There’s no drop off if the guy replacing him does better. Getting the same production shouldn’t be difficult.

There is a chance he does better used less with a more talented DL around him.. His snap counts skewed high for a player with limited offerings, especially v. run. If they keep him I’ll be hoping for fewer snaps with a bigger return.

The Packers #1 problem was giving up more than a 60% conversion rate on 3rd & short in 2021. We can do better. If you were an opposing OC, who would you run at?

Lowry’s TFL was 5, tied for his career high, but his sacks total was 5. Very small numbers compared to other 5Ts. He’s not commanding double teams. Never in his 6 year career had double digit QB Hits.

1 points
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Since'61's picture

June 02, 2022 at 10:35 pm

Great post and great analysis gg. I've have felt for the last 3-4 seasons that we can do better than Lowry especially as a 5T.

At this point the decision is whether to chuck Lowry now for the cap savings or keep him in a rotational role for this season and let him go to FA in 2023 and take the draft pick, which will probably be a 5th rounder. If TC proves that we can get more out of Reed and Wyatt then we should move from Lowry now.

As you correctly pointed out OCs are not concerned about Lowry. They often run at him in short yardage which we were poor with in 2021 and he never draws a double team. We were 13-4 with him we'll be 13-4 without him.
Thanks, Since '61

1 points
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HawkPacker's picture

June 03, 2022 at 06:41 am

I have stated for sometime that they will get rid of Lowry post June 1 and I still believe they will based on the number of DL players added recently. I think they will wait to see what players will be cut by other teams and then may get cut/trade him at that time if they do in fact need a player that has been recently cut such as a safety, cornerback or?

0 points
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dobber's picture

June 03, 2022 at 08:03 am

I also have pointed to Lowry as a cut candidate over the last year or two to make room for someone else. I think that depth at DL is important, yes, but based on how they've handled his contract, I don't think they cut or trade Lowry unless he gets meaningfully outplayed in camp. The Packers have a little breathing room under the cap ATM and could still make a couple moves based on that. I'm no expert, but I think Lowry plays out 2022 in GB.

2 points
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Roadrunner23's picture

June 03, 2022 at 07:19 am

Very nicely thought out and explained GG

2 points
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PatrickGB's picture

June 03, 2022 at 08:18 am

GreenGold, you make good points. Dean is a bit of a dilemma. As you pointed out his position as a 5tech may not be his best one. What he has going for him is his strength and durability. I think that after Barry arrived Dean’s role changed a bit. In some ways last year was his coming out year. I cannot give him grades on his run defense because I don’t know how that works. Yet his pass pressure rate looked great for an unheralded player. I suspect that the more he plays inside, the more he will see double teams. Post June cuts are a myth. Teams can designate a post June cut before June. I think that the team values him too much to cut him and considers his salary manageable. I believe that he has only missed one game in all his time with the team. As they say, the best ability is availability.

2 points
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greengold's picture

June 03, 2022 at 01:15 pm

I guess his best year in pass rush according to Pro Football Reference stats had him producing a career high 16 QB Pressures, 5 Sacks, 5 FTL, 4 PD, 9 QB Hits, 7 Hurries, 3 QBKD, 42 Combined Tackles, 5 MTkl.

Somehow, Bill Huber at SI included the PFF figure of 42 QB Pressures, which I believe to be in error (42 was his combined tackles total in the column next to pressures at PFR). PFF also credited Lowry with 6 sacks...No other outlet has this figure. I didn't purchase the "Elite" stats package, and can't check the other categories. This made me check a number of other stat references to confirm.

Player profiler had Dean Lowry with 12 QB Pressures. They are generally pretty good for quick reads on advanced stats & metrics.Their stat & NFL rankings line on Dean reads: 24 Tackles (#32), 17 Assist (#17), 5 Sacks (#44), 12 QB Pressures (#74), 5 TFL (50), 7 Run Stuffs (#38).

See what I mean about how low his QB Pressures figures really are in comparison with other DEs?

***Huber went on in his player grade for Lowry to say, "however, against the run his average tackle came 2.9 yds downfield and his 3.3 run stop percentage ranked a terrible 126th out of the aforementioned 135 interior defenders."

Everything else I've looked at out there pretty much matches up with the PFR and Player Profiler figures... fwiw.

Lowry's cap hit for 2022 according to Sportrac is $8.072M.

If you take some time and look up other 3-4 DEs/5Ts, you'll see Lowry's totals are average to below average. His career bests are great for him, but pale in comparison to others. He was the #17 DE selected at the bottom of R4 in the 2016 NFL Draft. In 2021 he had 674 defensive snaps, playing 63% of our D plays.

Like I said, I've got nothing against him, but could see Gutekunst trying to improve that position more cost effectively. He might rather spend the savings at OT down the line this year. Lowry has competition in camp with UDFAs Hauati Pututau and Akial Byers, along with recent FA signing Chris Slayton.

I'm intrigued by Pututau from Utah. 2021 he had 56 Tackles (26 solo), 11.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 1 INT, ***12 PD *** and 2 FR.

Can you imagine 12 batted balls in a season on this D?

Slayton could challenge Lowry for the spot too. At Syracuse he had 32.5 TFL, ranking #9 in Orange history.

1 points
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mrtundra's picture

June 03, 2022 at 08:02 am

Dean Lowry is another Packer who, for some reason, gets little respect from people in the Packers fanbase. I think a lot of that comes from those fans not watching Lowry and his game. He is a force on the DL and had one of his best years, in GB, last season. He is a solid lineman, who can move OLmen off their marks and create holes for our pass rushers and LBs. Why on earth would we want to weaken our DL by getting rid of Dean Lowry? He is as solid as a DLman gets and is very disruptive. Packer People!

2 points
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dobber's picture

June 03, 2022 at 08:17 am

5T is like a corner outfielder in baseball: if that guy isn't hitting 30 dingers and driving in 90+, you feel like you can do better...because you expect that 5T to be flashy. I've been someone wanting that flashy 5T for so long it's become a joke around here. Lowry got his extension based on a gamble that he was growing into a multidimensional 5T, but he earned it playing mostly opposite a very disruptive Mike Daniels--and without that kind of presence on the other side, Lowry's play has left us wanting more flash. He's really pretty much the same guy he was 4 years ago and that contract that could've been a real value based on trajectory really hasn't panned out that way.

He's a blue-collar, try-hard, athletically-limited kind of guy, but last season they used him better than they have in the past. The shift from the Capers/Pettine 3-4 to the Barry 3-4/multiple worked better for him, and added depth on the DL likely means some number fewer snaps for him, but likely a fresher guy and a player used in situations that better match his strengths.

2 points
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LLCHESTY's picture

June 03, 2022 at 09:16 am

Gutey does seem to have an aversion to drafting 5T types but I think it's probably scarcity and not wanting to reach for one.

I think Lowry is fine at DE, it's when he moves inside to 3T in the sub packages that he struggles to me. Sometimes looks like he's on skates against double teams too. $8 million seems like a lot for a guy only playing 35% of the snaps but I'm ok with him staying to keep Reed and Wyatt fresher. They have more options in base and sub packages than anytime since Cullen Jenkins left.

Who do you think pf as flashy 5Ts? Heyward is the only guy that comes to mind. Simmons? I mean maybe Donald but I think of him more as a 3T. I thought Foley Fatukasi would be a good, cheaper replacement for Lowry but then he got $10 million a year from the Jaguars.

1 points
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dobber's picture

June 03, 2022 at 10:43 am

I think you're right--the Packers (or maybe TT and now by extension BG) have a "type": they like DL who run about 6'3" and 295-315 lbs and are fairly interchangeable. Lowry is an outlier in that sense at 6'6". I always come back to Calais Campbell, Arik Armstead, Michael Brockers, or JJ Watt as the physical "type" I'd like to see come to GB to play that 5T/DE: tall, long, stout. Certainly I think of Calais Campbell first. All those guys are older players and the paradigm may have shifted away from them.

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LLCHESTY's picture

June 03, 2022 at 02:14 pm

What's funny with Lowry is he's taller but has really short arms. I guess he's learned to deal with it but even he isn't a true 3-4 DE "type". I've been hoping for a 2nd DE for years too. I thought for sure after the NFCCG debacle against the 49ers they would add a 2nd DE. I really looked at those type of guys in the draft and then three days of.....nothing!

It does seem like there's a lot more teams playing with lighter 5Ts these days. I think teams have gone away from the 2 gapping bigger guys and want guys that can penetrate. Quite a few of them are under 300 lbs these days.

Campbell is such a freak athlete I don't know how many of his type I'd expect to see. I think of Heyward as the best of that type. Either way I hope Gutey looks for a longer guy next year. He won't have much choice if Lowry and Reed both leave after this season.

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dobber's picture

June 03, 2022 at 03:23 pm

You're right on Campbell...he's an outlier in many ways.

I remember all the T-rex jokes when Lowry was drafted...

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greengold's picture

June 03, 2022 at 02:11 pm

For a straight reallocation of funds at 5T, there is a very good chance Derek Wolfe becomes available from BAL, who added a bunch of DL in FA/draft, at roster cuts. I'd rather throw that money at Wolfe, who is a very very strong run defender who can also add pass rush.

He's 32, but might not be a bad vet add there.

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jont's picture

June 03, 2022 at 11:02 am

The cheeseheads have spoken: Lowery is worth keeping as a solid if unremarkable contributor.

But what about the money? I have no idea if 8 million is too much for what he brings, but given the constant salary-cap concern I wonder if this might be the decisive factor in the GM's thinking.

For those who know more about this, how does Lowery compare? Is it likely he'll have to pack his bags?

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Rudedawg's picture

June 04, 2022 at 08:03 am

I'm so sick and tired of hearing about this! This is like saying 2+2 =7! You have a d-lineman who has always been a "steady Eddie." Not a difference maker but not a scrub. Now he has the best year of his career, the Packers are CLEARLY making the defensive unit and the front a priority but lets get rid of Dean Lowry now!

Seriously, where's the hidden camera? On top of this, it just came out that the Packers have 17 million in cap space yesterday. Of course you keep him, geez! Fuzzy math like I wrote above I guess because this is a no-brainer.

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