The Houston Texans selected TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock with the 40th pick in the NFL Draft on Friday night.
Blacklock, whose father Jimmy played basketball for the Harlem Globetrotters, is coming off a strong 2019 season following an Achilles tear that caused him to miss the 2018 season.
Here's what you need to know on Blacklock:
Measurables: 6’3”/290
School: TCU
2019 Stats: 40 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks,
Accolades: 2019 First-Team All-Big 12, 2019 Second-Team AP All-Big 12, 2019 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, 2017 Freshman All-American, 2017 Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year
Strengths:
• Size, strength and athleticism check all the boxes
• Elite lateral quickness with flexibility to change direction
• Quick first step allows him to push centers back into the quarterback
Weaknesses:
• Missed 2018 season due to Achilles injury
• Still raw, needs to work on technique and hand usage
• Improvement processing run and reading blocks
"Flashes menacing disruptive qualities as a gap seeker, but is just ordinary when forced to sit and take on blocks. Blacklock rebounded from a 2018 Achilles injury and showed off basketball quickness that was often too much for a single blocker. However, his technique and hand usage need work, as he's inconsistent holding the point and keeping his feet. He's a hit-or-miss run defender, but he's a relentless pass rusher with elite lateral quickness and change of direction to exploit interior galoots and open pathways to the pocket. Blacklock needs development as a one-gapping three-technique with rare movement talent and intriguing rush potential." - Lance Zeirlein, NFL.com
Tape:
Player Comparison: Gerald McCoy
Blacklock still has plenty of room for improvement after missing a season in college, but his ceiling is high and some point to McCoy as his comparison if he reaches his potential. No one is questioning his physical traits, it is just a matter of pairing those with the more technical skills to have Blacklock excel in the NFL.
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