Chiefs UDFA linebacker Jack Cochrane has the expertise and instincts to compete

I simply can’t cease speaking in regards to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ linebackers.

I am an enormous fan of the group’s returning second-level gamers, however it’s been thrilling to see the linebackers the group has added this offseason, too.

Earlier than the draft, I took a take a look at free-agent signing Jermaine Carter Jr. Following the group’s choice, I reviewed third-round draft decide Leo Chenal. Later, I took a more in-depth take a look at undrafted free agent Mike Rose.

Now I will be inspecting the different undrafted free agent with a formidable faculty resume: Jack Cochrane. Over the 4 seasons he performed at South Dakota, he racked up 327 tackles and earned first-team all convention honors throughout his ultimate season. He additionally earned a number of honors as an Tutorial All-American.

This is what to know in regards to the younger linebacker vying to earn a roster spot in Kansas Metropolis.

The fundamentals

Cochrane performed highschool soccer in the identical state he attended faculty, enrolling as a part of the 2017 recruiting class. He began taking part in in 2018 – largely as a center linebacker – ending second on the group in tackles. From then on, he was a continuing drive for the Coyotes’ protection, being named group captain in every of his final three seasons.

At South Dakota’s professional day, Cochrane measured in at 6 ft 3 and 236 kilos – a stable basis for his place. That is what makes the outcomes of his athletic testing so spectacular. He recorded a 41-inch vertical and a 10-foot 4-inch broad bounce, that are each “elite” in line with the knowledge from Kent Lee Platte’s Relative Athletic Rating metric. His 4.1-second 10-yard shuttle additionally matches into that class.

The 4.65-second 40-yard sprint was nearer to a typical velocity, however the 10-yard cut up was 1.6 seconds – one other “elite” quantity.

School movie analysis

I watched two full video games – albeit from the printed angle – of Cochrane’s 2021 season: Week 1 at Kansas and a late-season sport in opposition to North Dakota State.

Cochrane normally performs from a standard center linebacker place, making performs on the each at line of scrimmage and in area deeper down the sector.

He shows efficient imaginative and prescient (with that spectacular athleticism) to make performs sideline-to-sideline, reacting rapidly to play path – and as soon as he will get to the purpose of assault, staying sq. to the road of scrimmage.

His capability to learn bins rapidly (and diagnose performs) comes from his expertise – which additionally results in good pre-snap anticipation.

In these two performs from the second half of the sport, he has found out some play-calling tendencies – and is utilizing that intuition to get a head begin on the place he must be to make the cease.

Cochrane’s top generally is a drawback for a linebacker. However I’ve seen him consciously counter that by taking part in low to the bottom. At his dimension, it is not pure to be operating that means, however bending his knees and taking part in from extra of a crouch can enhance his change-of-direction velocity – and the way rapidly he could be in an excellent, basic tackling place.

In protection, Cochrane seems very snug; he glides across the discipline. On this play, he’s very easy operating up the seam with a decent finish. His dimension permits him to contest most of these passes, utilizing his size to get into the throwing window with out being overly bodily.

This play is an effective instance of his expertise masking the hook zone: staying affected person, studying the quarterback’s eyes and letting them take him to the move. The play practically allowed the Coyotes to beat the Jayhawks.

The first factor Cochrane might want to enhance is his taking part in energy. He doesn’t have the mass to be a constant playmaker within the field in opposition to the run – and in opposition to North Dakota State, that was apparent. That offensive line is as near an NFL line as you will discover within the FCS – and its superior taking part in energy constantly received the most effective of Cochrane.

His instincts permit him to combat by means of these sorts of mismatched blocking engagements, however he fails to make many performs by avoiding blocks fully; he tries to shed blocks after he is engaged – fairly than earlier than. To counter his lack of energy – which will likely be tougher to beat within the NFL – he’ll have to develop that talent much more.

The underside line

In Kansas Metropolis’s 2022 coaching camp, the fringes of the linebacker depth chart will likely be one of the crucial intriguing battles. Chenal, Carter and Rose will likely be within the combine – however Cochrane additionally has the abilities to insert himself into that battle. He has already made some performs.

If Cochrane is to make the roster, you’ll be able to envision a job to the one Ben Niemann crammed: a lighter linebacker (with play-calling expertise) who can play in passing-down packages, however who will primarily be a special-teams participant.

With Niemann now not on the group, that particular function is up for grabs – and Cochrane appears to suit the mildew. He’s firmly part of what will likely be one of many Chiefs’ most troublesome place battles to kind out.