The Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their defensive line Monday, GM Omar Khan telling reporters they were signing veteran DL Dean Lowry. Essentially the replacement for Armon Watts, who took a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. Pittsburgh had a need for d-line depth and Lowry is their first stop in that mission. Even if he’s not the long-term option (and he isn’t), did the Steelers get better? Or worse?
Let’s break his tape down. We’ll produce scouting report blurbs, the good and bad, and show clips of his run defense and pass rush.
Run Defense
Lowry Scouting Report
– Shows upper body strength to hold point of attack in run game
– Ability to two gap, get head across block to change running back’s path
– Can stack and shed to close run lanes
– Capable to shoot and fill gap in one-gap scheme
– Shows proper hand placement in run game with good punch
– Able to force running backs to bounce runs outside
– Can be slow to shed, lacks explosiveness to defeat block and a tick late to close lane
– Tendency to pop up off the ball and doesn’t show consistent pad level, causing him to be too easily moved and washed
– Average snap timing and explosiveness
To the tape we go.