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Indianapolis Colts: Is Dwight Lowery a starter?

By Federico Ferrari

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A few days ago the Indianapolis Colts added another defender to potentially fill a glaring need at safety. Veteran Mike Adams is a lock as the starting strong safety next year but who will start next to him at free safety? Is Dwight Lowery good enough to earn the starting job?

Sep 28, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) runs after making an interception during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Filling every need on the team via free agency is a good strategy but every player you sign won’t be a starter. It’s a good strategy because by doing so a general manager will be able to draft the best player available when his team is on the clock and won’t be forced to draft by need.

Lowery is a seven-year veteran who was drafted in the fourth round (113th overall) of the 2008 NFL draft by the New York Jets. He spent three years with the Jets and after a three-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lowery started 15 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2014. He finished the year with 79 total tackles, five pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a sack. Lowery started his NFL career as a cornerback but was then moved to safety in his third year.

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In 2011 he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars but after playing in 13 games with the team that season he made just 12 appearances with the club from 2012-13. Lowery was a liability in pass coverage last year with the Falcons but he played well in run support, per Pro Football Focus. The Falcons finished the season with the league’s 32nd-ranked defense in both overall defense and pass defense (per NFL.com).

Yes, Lowery is definitely an upgrade over former Colts starter LaRon Landry. But is that enough to assume he will be a starter this upcoming season?

Not so fast.

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Colt Anderson (32) against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This is a good signing to add some depth at the position since the Colts have lost both Sergio Brown and released Landry. Lowery is still in his prime but if he hasn’t established himself as a good starter until now will he realistically be able to do so at this stage of his career?

He will have to earn the starting job by competing against special teams’ ace Colt Anderson. Not to mention the possibility that the Colts could add another safety high in the draft in a few weeks. I recently discussed a few possible early-round targets for the team.

Lowery is regarded as the guy by many Colts’ experts and I believe he has the potential to be the week-one starter next to Adams. However, we still have to wait and see how the draft plays out and how well he can handle competition in training camp before handing him the starting job.

Next: Colts targeting RB Ameer Abdullah?

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