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Will Domata Peko return to the Broncos in 2019?

By Sayre Bedinger

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 25: Nose tackle Domata Sr. Peko #94 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 25: Nose tackle Domata Sr. Peko #94 of the Denver Broncos runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on November 25, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos are reportedly not in any hurry to re-sign Domata Peko, who has been the team’s starting nose tackle the past two years.

Defensive tackle Domata Peko is one of the oldest defensive players on the unrestricted free agent market in 2019, but he’s enjoyed some of the best years of his football career over the past two seasons with the Broncos.

Peko helped restore the Broncos’ once elite run defense after a huge dropoff in the 2016 season when a number of key players left in free agency.

Aside from a couple of major dud games, the Broncos’ run defense was really good over the past two years and Peko was a major part of that resurgence.

He signed a two-year contract with the Broncos back in 2017, but could find himself searching for a new home in 2019. He still feels like he can play heading into his age 34 season, but the Broncos may not be in a hurry to re-sign him.

According to Mike Klis, he’s not expected to be back with the team.

"“I do not think the Broncos will bring back Peko. He gave them two solid years as a starting nose tackle, but he’s 34 and in the NFL, they’re always looking to get younger.”Mike Klis, 9News Denver"

That is somewhat of a surprising revelation from Klis, and if the Broncos intend to get ‘younger’ at the nose tackle position, my latest mock draft scenario would make a lot of sense.

In free agency, the Broncos could look to a couple of former first-round draft picks to get younger at nose tackle as well. Two New England Patriots players — Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton — are set for unrestricted free agency and both are 26 and under.

It could make a lot of sense for the Broncos to go after one of those guys as a two-down run player and draft someone like Dexter Lawrence or Khalen Saunders in this year’s talent-rich defensive line class.

There will be a variety of options and there are certainly more than just those two young players available in free agency this year.

More. Broncos mock draft with Antonio Brown trade. light

Sheldon Richardson of the Minnesota Vikings isn’t a true nose tackle, but he’s an explosive interior player who could help the Broncos get some more pressure on the quarterback.

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