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So You've Signed John Lowdermilk: A New Owner's Guide

Congratulations! You've just made the wonderful decision to draft sign John Lowdermilk! Like most new Lowdermilk owners, you're no doubt filled with questions about your new family member. We here at BHGP will try our best to answer any questions you might have.

By RossWB
Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

HELLO SAN DIEGO

WHAT'S SPECIAL ABOUT JOHN LOWDERMILK?

Lowdermilk has good size (6-2, 210) and the ability to deliver big hits on wide receivers and running backs, which he did on more than a few occasions.  He's not the most athletically gifted defensive back, nor is he a lockdown defender, but he can ably fill a role in a conservative defensive scheme.  To the extent it matters (probably not much!), he has good bloodlines -- his father, John Lowdermilk Sr., was a standout offensive lineman at Ohio State and had a very good 12-year NFL career.

WHAT DID HE DO THAT WAS SO GREAT?

Lowdermilk was a regular presence in the defensive backfield for Iowa the last two seasons and he steadily improved over the course of his Iowa career.  He showed more playmaking instincts as a senior, forcing two fumbles and grabbing three interceptions.  He was somewhat inconsistent in coverage, but he improved there from the beginning of his career.  He was also capable of delivering some big hits from the safety position.

STATS

YEAR GAMES SOLO ASSIST TOTAL SACKS/YDS TFL/YDS FF FR PASS DEF INT/YDS
2011 11 3 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
2012 11 3 3 6 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013 13 36 42 78 0 4.5/8 0 0 2 1/71
2014 13 58 45 103 0 3/8 2 0 3 3/48
TOTAL 48 100 91 191 0 7.5/16 2 0 5 4/119


HOW ARE HIS PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES?

At 6-2, 210 lbs, Lowdermilk has plenty of size at the position.  He uses that size to his advantage when tackling, too -- he's capable of delivering some very solid hits on opponents.  He doesn't have tremendous speed or quicknessto pair with that size, though -- he ran a 4.65 40 at Iowa's Pro Day, as well as a 4.21 20-yard shuttle time.

PRO DAY RESULTS

WHAT ABOUT THE BAD?

His lack of speed is definitely an issue -- he struggles to keep up with faster players and change directions in coverage.  His coverage instincts definitely improved from the beginning of his Iowa career to now, but he was still out of position more often than you might like and sometimes took poor angles on tackles.

WAS THIS A GOOD SIGNING?

Given the track record of Iowa defensive backs in the NFL, sure, he's worth a flier.  Lowdermilk has good size and is very coachable, which gives him some upside.  He should be able to contribute on special teams coverage units and perhaps as a situational defender in the secondary.