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Dean Lowry selected by Green Bay Packers in 4th round of 2016 NFL Draft

The productive veteran finds a home with the Packers.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Dean Lowry is a Green Bay Packer. The Packers selected Lowry with the 39th pick in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL Draft on Saturday.

Lowry was a three-year starter and four-year contributor at Northwestern. He was the top defensive lineman on the Wildcats' 2016 unit that finished 7th nationally in scoring defense and 5th nationally in Football Outsiders' S&P+.

Lowry will likely fit as a defensive end in Green Bay's 3-4 defense, though if the Packers go to a four-man front, Lowry could play inside in pass-rush situations — just as he did at Northwestern.

Lowry was selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team as a senior, and finished his Northwestern career with 12.5 sacks and 31.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded three interceptions, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He made arguably one of the most important plays of Northwestern's season in the Duke game:

Lowry's physique, in a way, is both his strength and his weakness. He's 6-foot-6, 296 pounds, and can move really well for his size. However, he has inordinately short arms — 31 inches long — and small hands. If Lowry's arms were 3 or 4 inches longer, he realistically could have been a first or second round pick.

Lowry appears to be a good fit in Green Bay though. The Packers came into the draft with a clear focus on upgrading their defensive line, and Lowry will arrive in Green Bay alongside first round pick Kenny Clark, a nose tackle from UCLA.

Green Bay's defensive end rotation currently includes Letroy Guion, Mike Daniels and Josh Boyd. Mike Pennel can play both end and nose tackle. Lowry could slot into a backup role right away.

A full scouting report on Lowry can be found here.