The Detroit Lions haven't been as active as some fans would've wanted in the first days of free agency. In fact, they've lost more big names than they've acquired, from Taylor Decker and David Montgomery to Amik Robertson.
At the time of writing, the Lions have lost a couple of linebackers, including star LB Alex Anzalone. That's why, with the free agent pool shrinking by the day and most big names already signed, the Lions may have to settle for a bargain bin move. If that's the case, then Jack Cochrane screams 'nothing to lose, everything to win' for this team.
The Detroit Lions Should Reach Out to Jack Cochrane
According to Over The Cap, the Lions are sitting on $30.489 million in cap space. That's more than enough to make a splash, but they also need to save some money for draft picks and other opportunities, so spending wisely will be of the utmost importance. Per Spotrac, Cochrane has a market value of a one-year, $2 million contract, so he's just what they need right now.
While he's never been a starter, Cochrane is a solid, proven contributor who plays by the book. He may not be flashy or make many headlines, but he doesn't make many mistakes, either, and sometimes, that's just about enough.
In four years with the Chiefs, he made 64 appearances (two starts), had 62 total tackles (36 solo), two tackles for loss, two passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and one interception. He got started on special teams, but he played 61 defensive snaps last season and 180 in 2023.
The sample size is a bit limited, but Pro Football Focus gave him a 78.5 grade last season. He gave up a 34.5 passer rating on 25 coverage snaps, logging an 83.2 coverage grade, which would've been elite. Again, the sample size is small, but he's clearly earned an opportunity to be a more consistent contributor on defense rather than playing only on special teams.
The Lions need hungry players who fit their philosophy and mindset ahead of a bounce-back season. They can get Cochrane on a one-year "prove it" deal to see whether he can take a step forward in coverage. In the worst-case scenario, they will still have a veteran special-teamer who will get on the field one way or another. He's obviously no Alex Anzalone, but there aren't that many big names available at this point in free agency, much less for a bargain.