Lions free agent profile: Kyle Peko was missed after damage

Once we discuss all the Detroit Lions’ defensive accidents in 2024, the identify of nostril sort out Kyle Peko hardly ever comes up. Individuals are understandably extra fast to level out the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Carlton Davis, and extra.

That’s a disgrace as a result of Peko was an underrated a part of Detroit’s stout defensive entrance, significantly early within the season. And when Peko suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 6, the Lions protection was by no means actually the identical.

Now, Peko faces free company. Will the Lions decide to deliver again the 31-year-old defensive lineman or transfer on? Let’s proceed our 2025 Lions free agent sequence.

Right here’s a take a look at our previously-written free agent profiles: WR Tim Patrick, G Kevin Zeitler

Kyle Peko
Expectations heading into 2024

Peko was signed late in free company (Might 7), however there was some optimism he could serve a job with the workforce. For one, he was reuniting with Lions line of defense coach Terrell Williams. Peko had two stints with the Tennessee Titans whereas Williams coached there. Moreover, Peko began 10 video games in 2024 for the Titans, that means his endurance was nonetheless there at 31 years previous.

And with DJ Reader rehabbing from a torn quad, it wasn’t clear if Peko must begin early within the season or if Reader could be prepared by Week 1. Both method, Peko—who solely value the Lions $1.2 million on a one-year contract—was a sensible signing, because the Lions weren’t prone to begin developmental participant Brodric Martin at first of the yr.

Precise function in 2024

Word: PFF grades mix common season and playoffs and mirror a minimal 20% snaps at that place

5 video games (1 begin): 2 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 QB hits — 86 snaps, 9 particular groups snaps PFF grade: 45.8 general grade (Didn’t qualify for rating) PFF run protection grade: 36.8 PFF go rush grade: 58.3PFF sort out grade: 67.6

Peko didn’t make the preliminary 53-man roster, though that was principally by technicality. Given his veteran standing, he didn’t must clear waivers, and Detroit was in a position to signal him instantly to the apply squad. And since Reader was, certainly, not prepared to start out the yr, Peko was elevated, bought the Week 1 begin, and performed almost half of his season snaps (37 of 86) within the opener. After the sport, he was signed to the 53-man roster. When Reader returned after lacking only one sport, Peko’s function dropped to about 15-20% of defensive snaps.

Sadly for Peko, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle towards the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. The damage required surgical procedure and ended his season.

Assessing his play is hard. I don’t consider PFF grades correctly consider the form of participant Peko is. PFF awards issues like penetration, tackles for loss, and pressures, whereas Peko’s job is predominantly to eat up blocks and never lose floor. He’s there to assist unlock the Lions’ linebacking corps to play downhill and make Detroit’s run protection powerful to penetrate.

In that respect, he was profitable. There was no string of video games the Lions have been higher at defending the run than within the first 5 contests. Simply check out our On Paper chart for the Lions run protection this yr:

They held the Buccaneers and Cardinals to about half of their common yardage averages and properly beneath their yards per carry common. Actually, the one slip up whereas Peko was in was the Seahawks sport, which was Detroit’s first with out Derrick Barnes.

Whereas it could be foolish to credit score Peko for all the Lions’ early run protection success, it’s actually noteworthy how Detroit’s teaching workers unpromptedly talked about how essential of an damage it was on the time.

“That was a huge, huge loss,” defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn mentioned. “I actually talked to him this morning because he actually went into his surgery and just told him how much that we were going to miss him, and I don’t take him for granted at all for what he did. So, that was a tough one also.”

“Peko’s been one of those just kind of silent producers for us,” coach Dan Campbell mentioned. “Does all of the dirty work and he’s the one who frees up Alex (Anzalone) and Jack (Campbell) and (Malcolm Rodriguez) Rodrigo and those guys to make the plays that they make. He held down the fort until Reader got back and then he’s a rotational guy, so we hate it for him. We’re going to miss him, too.”

Detroit’s run protection didn’t fall off a cliff, however it actually wasn’t as much as Detroit’s excessive requirements. Reader supplied robust play at nostril sort out, however he was commonly averaging over 60% of defensive snaps within the again half of the season, which is lower than superb for a 30-year-old coming off two main accidents.

Outlook for 2025

Contract standing: Unrestricted free agent

Peko is dealing with free company but once more, and he’ll be getting into the 2025 season at age 32.

Execs of re-signing

There’s little or no threat in re-signing Peko. He has scheme familiarity (assuming the Lions don’t make huge adjustments), he’ll come low cost, and it gained’t forestall Detroit from making different strikes on the place. Peko supplies dependability and common gameplay. Most significantly, he supplies expertise amongst a Lions line of defense that is still comparatively younger.

Cons of re-signing

Sooner or later, the Lions are going to must see what Brodric Martin can do. The Lions’ 2023 third-round choose has solely made 5 sport appearances and performed 53 snaps in his first two seasons. Including Peko might take away from these alternatives, though there’s nothing inherently mistaken about including some competitors to push Martin.

Moreover, you’re speaking about re-signing a 32-year-old coming off a severe damage. Whereas Lions common supervisor Brad Holmes has actually not proven any hesitancy in signing gamers off main accidents, maybe he must be just a little extra cautious transferring ahead.

Is there curiosity from each side?

Onerous to say. We didn’t get a lot of a chance to speak to Peko after his damage. Actually, there might be questions on a potential retirement from his finish given age and damage. However given his postseason Instagram submit, he was a minimum of grateful of the chance the Lions supplied.

Nothing however love! Thanks Detroit!”

As for Detroit’s aspect of issues, the best way the teaching workers talked about him, it wouldn’t be stunning to see them contemplating one other one-year deal for Peko.

Value?

Given his age, damage state of affairs, and common low manufacturing all through his profession, Peko will nearly actually value Detroit simply the veteran minimal (about $1.17M).

Conclusion

If Peko needs to proceed his NFL profession, I might not be shocked to see the Lions deliver him again, however he wouldn’t be assured a spot on the roster. Detroit must get youthful at that place, whether or not meaning lastly giving Martin the chance, drafting one other participant, or spending just a little extra in free company.

One factor to think about is that the Lions have seemingly gone by way of nostril tackles each single season. They’ve rapidly changed the likes of John Penisini, Isaiah Buggs, and Benito Jones, so it wouldn’t be exhausting for Detroit to discover a comparatively low cost substitute in the event that they hope to improve from Peko. However, once more, they talked extremely of Peko in a method they by no means actually did of the last few gamers, so I see no downside in throwing him a vet-minimum deal.

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What ought to the Lions do with Kyle Peko?

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Re-sign ($1.17M)

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