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Pre-NFL Combine New Orleans Saints mock draft

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Oct 10, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson (99) reacts after sacking Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Zander Diamont (not pictured) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Oct 10, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson (99) reacts after sacking Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Zander Diamont (not pictured) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
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Dean Lowry
Nov 7, 2015; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive lineman Dean Lowry (94) is penalized after tackling Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Christian Hackenberg (14) during the first quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Undrafted Free Agents:  Dean Lowry, DE, Northwestern

Though he lacked the college production, Dean Lowry showed plenty to like in his career at Northwestern.  The 6-foot-6, 290-pound defensive end showed off great length as a three-year starter.  He gets upfield in a hurry and does a great job getting his hands up into passing lanes; he led the front seven in pass deflections with 7.  Lowry’s 13 tackles for loss were second on the team.

So if Lowry is already there physically and played well for Northwestern, why is he available as an undrafted free agent?  It’s a by-product of the insane depth at defensive line in this draft class.  For the same reasons Austin Johnson should be there in the second round, players like Lowry and Tyrone Holmes will get pushed down the draft board.

That spells great things for the Saints, who need help up front on defense and can find it thanks to this surge in talent.  Lowry didn’t even get a Senior Bowl invite, though he did blow up the East-West Shrine Game practices (as did Holmes).  It will be interesting to see what athletic attributes Lowry shows off this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Next: Could we use more special teams aces?

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