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According to 9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos have signed former Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko and defensive end Zach Kerr formerly of the Indianapolis Colts.
Huge day for John Elway: Broncos have agreed to terms on 2-year deals with Bengals DT Domata Peko and Colts DT Zach Kerr. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 11, 2017
According to Klis, the deal signed by Peko is a two-year, $7.5 million dollar deal with $3.8 million guaranteed.
Peko will join his cousin, Kyle Peko at the Broncos nose tackle position. Domata is entering his 12th year in the league and his spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Peko is a big man. He is listed at 6-3, 325lbs and will likely be the Broncos starting nose tackle next season. Last season for the Bengals, Peko totaled 37 tackles and 0 sacks. He offers very little in pass rush, but that's not his game. His job will be to clog up a leaky run defense that hurt the Broncos defense last season. Throughout his 11 seasons in the NFL, Peko has totaled 263 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 12 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.
Oh yea Peko hella stout lol good pick up
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) March 11, 2017
Kerr entered the league as a undrafted free agent and signed with the Indianapolis Colts and spent the last three seasons with them. Now he will join the Broncos and provide some much-needed depth at the defensive end position.
Like Peko, Kerr is another big man. He is listed at 6-2, 334lbs and played defensive end and nose tackle for the Indianapolis Colts the past three seasons.
Last season, Kerr totaled 19 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Colts defense. In his three-year career, he has totaled 64 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble.
For Denver, he'll likely play the Vance Walker role. Play right defensive end on run downs and provide depth at the nose tackle position as well. Right now, I think we can pencil Kerr in as the starter and Adam Gotsis and Jared Crick will be the pass rushers and rotate in at times as well.
Don't be surprised if Peko (NT)-Kerr (DE) start, adding 650 pounds, which should help vs. massive OAK O-line twice a year. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) March 11, 2017
The common theme in these two signings is size and strength. It was said multiple times before Free Agency began that the priority was to improve their run game, well now they have the size at the position to help stop the run.
These are not the big signings we all hoped(unfortunately life isn't like Madden unless you're the Patriots) but these low-cost signings seem to point to Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway keep some cap room available for if/when Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is released. They have downplayed their interest to the media, but people with knowledge of the situation know that they will have serious interest in Romo if he is released.
Overall, I like these two signings. Peko has been very good in this league for a long time and durable as well. Kerr adds some size to the position and hopefully will be able to clog up those run lanes some this upcoming season.
What do you think Mile High Report? Do you like these signings or do you wish the Broncos opened up their check book some and went after some bigger names?