The Detroit Lions bolstered their defense on Tuesday, not only securing the return of former safety C.J. Moore but also adding defensive lineman Kyle Peko to their roster.
Peko, an undrafted free agent in 2016, has had stints with four teams during his career. Starting with the Denver Broncos, where he appeared in one game as a rookie, he has since played a total of 42 games. Notably, he featured in 13 games with 10 starts for the Tennessee Titans last season. His connection to the Lions’ new defensive line coach, Terrell Williams, stems from his time with the Titans. At 31 years old, Peko brings a veteran presence to the team.
Throughout his career, Peko has amassed 56 tackles, including two sacks and four tackles for loss. Apart from the Broncos and Titans, he has also played for the Bills and Raiders.
The Lions have been proactive in upgrading their defensive line this offseason, signing DJ Reader to a two-year deal and drafting LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo in the sixth round of the 2024 Draft. Additionally, they anticipate increased contributions from Brodric Martin in his second NFL season. With a strong defense that excelled against the run last year, Detroit aims to maintain that level of performance in 2024.
Peko played college football initially at Cerritos College before transferring to Oregon State. During his time at Oregon State, he recorded 45 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks in one season.
