Lions free agent profile: Kyle Peko’s absence was felt following his injury
Lions Free Agent Profile: Kyle Peko’s Absence and Its Impact on the Detroit Lions
Introduction
The Detroit Lions have seen a significant transformation over recent seasons, striving to re-establish themselves as contenders in the NFC. A key element in their defensive rebuild has been the ability to develop and retain role players that add depth and versatility. One such player, Kyle Peko, has quietly become a vital part of the team’s defensive line rotation. However, when he was sidelined due to injury, his absence left a noticeable gap, exposing some of the weaknesses in the Lions’ front seven.
In this profile, we will explore Peko’s career trajectory, his role with the Lions, and the impact of his injury. Understanding the nature of his absence and how it affected the defense will help assess Peko’s value to the team and why his presence is crucial for the Lions moving forward.
Who is Kyle Peko?
Kyle Peko, a 6’1”, 320-pound defensive tackle, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Born in 1993 in California, Peko attended the University of Oregon, where he played college football for the Ducks. Despite a solid college career, Peko went undrafted in 2016, which is not uncommon for players who have not received significant national attention.
His size and ability to clog up running lanes caught the attention of NFL scouts, and he eventually landed on the Denver Broncos’ roster in 2016. Although his time with the Broncos was brief, Peko spent the next few years bouncing between teams and practice squads, including stints with the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and the Indianapolis Colts, before finally landing with the Detroit Lions in 2022.
Peko’s journey through the league is emblematic of the grind that many undrafted players face, and his perseverance earned him a regular spot on the Lions’ roster. Known for his ability to stop the run, Peko carved out a niche for himself as a rotational defensive tackle, providing much-needed depth to Detroit’s interior defensive line.
Kyle Peko’s Role on the Detroit Lions
Kyle Peko’s skill set as a run-stuffer and interior defender has made him a valuable piece for the Lions’ defense. His primary job is to occupy blockers, clog up running lanes, and free up other players to make plays. Though Peko is not a sack machine or a pass-rushing force, his contributions to the defensive line’s stability cannot be overstated.
In 2022, the Lions were focusing on improving their defense, particularly against the run. With Aidan Hutchinson and other edge rushers causing pressure on quarterbacks, the interior of the line was where Peko was expected to make the biggest impact. He provided the Lions with a reliable option as a two-gap defender, able to take on double teams and control the line of scrimmage. In this role, he allowed the more explosive defensive players around him to capitalize on mismatches and penetrate into opposing backfields.
Peko was often used as a rotational piece, coming in during obvious run situations or when the Lions wanted to provide a breather to their starting defensive tackles. His ability to maintain a strong presence against the run, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations, was key in keeping opposing offenses from establishing the run game.
The Injury and Its Impact on the Lions Defense
Peko’s absence due to injury in the 2023 season was felt more than many initially anticipated. While the Lions had depth along the defensive line, Peko’s unique skill set, particularly as a run defender, was hard to replace. The defensive line struggled at times in his absence, especially against powerful, run-heavy teams.
With Peko sidelined, the Lions’ interior defensive line became more vulnerable. The lack of a true run-stuffing presence meant that opponents were able to find more success running up the middle, forcing the linebackers to become more involved in gap control and run defense. This exposed the defense to bigger plays on the ground and contributed to a decrease in the Lions’ ability to get off the field on third downs.
Moreover, without Peko, the Lions lacked the rotational depth they had hoped for along the defensive line. Other players were forced to step up into roles they weren’t necessarily prepared for, leading to some inconsistency. Players like Isaiah Buggs and Alim McNeill had to absorb more snaps, and although they showed promise, they were not able to fully replicate Peko’s ability to take on double teams and control the line of scrimmage in the same manner.
Peko’s Absence in Run Defense
The most noticeable impact of Peko’s injury was in the Lions’ run defense. In 2023, Detroit had a well-documented struggle against physical running teams, and Peko’s absence exacerbated this issue. The Lions allowed 129.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 22nd in the league. While some of this can be attributed to other factors, such as the defensive scheme or a lack of pass-rush pressure, the loss of Peko left the team without a key piece in stopping ball carriers from breaking through the interior line.
Peko’s ability to hold his ground against double teams allowed the linebackers to flow freely to the ball carrier, a fundamental component of Detroit’s defensive strategy. Without him, the defense lacked that consistent presence in the middle of the line. Opponents were able to use their big, physical running backs to take advantage of Detroit’s soft spots in the middle of the defense, particularly in power-run schemes.
Teams with strong offensive lines, such as the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers, were able to control the tempo of the game by keeping the Lions’ defense on the field and creating long, sustained drives that wore down the defense. With Peko in the lineup, Detroit had a better chance of stymying these kinds of plays early and forcing offenses into passing situations, where their pass rush could be more effective.
The Defensive Line Without Peko
With Peko on the shelf, the Lions’ defensive line was tasked with more responsibility, and it became clear that there was a need for reinforcements. The loss of Peko shifted the dynamic of the front seven, and the defensive line began to show some wear. While the Lions have other talented defensive linemen like Hutchinson and McNeill, Peko’s absence exposed the limitations of the depth behind the starters.
As the Lions worked through the 2023 season, it became evident that they were missing the depth and consistency that Peko brought to the table. They leaned more heavily on other players, which at times proved ineffective against powerful running teams. The rotation was thinner, and the defensive tackles found themselves wearing down faster than they would have if Peko were available to share the load.
The Lions also lacked the ability to maintain a healthy balance in terms of snap distribution. More experienced players like McNeill had to play more snaps, potentially wearing them out by the end of games and contributing to lapses in execution as the season progressed. This led to a series of games where Detroit’s run defense was ineffective and contributed to several close losses, especially in matchups against teams with strong running attacks.
The Need for Depth in the Defensive Line Rotation
Kyle Peko’s absence underscored the need for quality depth along the defensive line in the NFL. While the star players and starting units tend to get the most attention, it’s often the rotational players who provide the balance necessary for a defense to perform consistently over a long season. Detroit’s defense, while improving in several areas, could not maintain that level of consistency without players like Peko to step in and keep things fresh.
As teams in the NFL increasingly rely on committees and rotations, the loss of a key rotational piece like Peko is more significant than it might seem at first glance. With defensive tackles expected to play a significant number of snaps due to the high number of pass-heavy plays in the league, having a solid backup or rotational player is paramount. Peko’s role in Detroit’s defense as a run-stuffer made him an indispensable part of the defensive line unit, and his injury highlighted just how important his contributions were to the team’s overall success.
The Path Forward for Kyle Peko and the Lions
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Peko’s role with the Lions remains uncertain, but it’s clear that the team values his contributions. If healthy, Peko could serve as a stabilizing force for Detroit’s defensive line once again, especially as they continue to build out their defense under head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Peko’s injury situation and the impact it had on the defense may motivate the Lions to continue seeking depth along the interior defensive line. Whether or not the team re-signs him will depend on how they view the value of his contributions relative to the financial commitments they must make to other positions. Regardless of his future with the team, it’s clear that his presence, when healthy, provides a stabilizing influence that helps the Lions compete against the physical teams in their division and beyond.
