The Detroit Lions added two players to their roster on May 7. With the second, the team reunites new defensive line coach Terrell Williams with one of his former defensive lineman from Tennessee, Kyle Peko.
On X (previously Twitter), the Lions announced Peko’s signing, as well as the addition of safety C.J. Moore.
Peko played for Williams with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 and 2023. In the meanwhile, he played for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.
Peko made 32 total tackles, including 4 for loss, in two seasons with the Titans. He also recorded 2 sacks, 5 quarterback hits, 1 pass defense, and 1 forced fumble in 21 games, 13 of which he started.
Last season, Peko started ten of Tennessee’s thirteen games. He had a career-high 22 total tackles, including 2 for loss, 2 quarterback hits, and 1 pass defense.
Peko played for the Denver Broncos and the Buffalo Bills during his eight-year career. Scotty Payne of SB Nation’s Mile High Report hailed Peko as “an athletic big man” after the Broncos signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2016.
“His lateral quickness is clearly visible on tape. “He’s an athletic big man with surprisingly good chase and tackle abilities,” Payne noted. “He also demonstrated a terrific spin move on tape.
“He has a good motor and will leave it all on the field.”
“He has bloodlines on his side. Domata Peko, the Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle, is Kyle Peko’s cousin.
What Kyle Peko Can Bring to the Lions
Peko replaces some of the seasoned defensive line depth that the Lions lost to free agency this offseason.
Detroit signed defensive end Bruce Irvin and defensive tackle Tyson Alualu after the 2023 season’s midway mark.
Irvin did not finish the 2023 season with the Lions. However, Irvin and Alualu appeared in four games as practice squad members. Alualu also appeared in all three of Detroit’s postseason games.
Following his release by the Lions on January 3, Irvin signed with the Miami Dolphins. Alualu remains a free agent this offseason.
Peko, an experienced interior defensive lineman, may replace Alualu and compete with some of the team’s younger players at the position. Peko, like Alualu, might make the practice squad and contribute significantly on game days.
Peko spent portions of three seasons with the Broncos after signing as an undrafted free agent. He made 8 total tackles in 9 games with Denver.
In 2018, Peko did not play in a single game for the Broncos or Bills. Then, in 2019, he dressed for six games in Denver and Buffalo and spent time on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad.
Peko withdrew from the 2020 NFL season because to COVID-19.
When he returned in July 2021, he joined the Titans. Peko appeared in 29 games for the Titans and Raiders from 2021 to 2023, which was 16 more than his first four seasons.
Peko has played in more games and made more starts for Williams than any other NFL defensive line coach he has worked for in his career.
Lions Also Signed Safety C. J. Moore
On May 7, the Lions made two defensive acquisitions. They not only strengthened their defensive line, but they also re-signed C.J. Moore to provide safety depth.
Moore played for the Lions from 2019 until 2022. Detroit dismissed Moore on April 21, 2023, after the NFL punished him indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy.
The experienced safety might be an important acquisition. Prior to signing Moore, the Lions had only two safeties on their roster who played defensive snaps in 2023.
Moore should also play a lot on special teams. From 2019 to 2022, he averaged approximately 270 special teams snaps per season for Detroit.
