The 49ers’ draft needs could see a pretty wild fluctuation depending on how free agency shakes out. In preparing for all scenarios, San Francisco met with TCU defensive lineman Ross Blacklock according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
Chances are the 49ers won’t get a chance to even draft Blacklock unless they move up from the No. 31 overall pick. The 6-3, 290-pound defensive tackle is an explosive athlete who could wreak havoc along the inside next to DeForest Buckner on passing downs.
There are some concerns about whether Blacklock can be on the field for three downs the way Arik Armstead was capable of doing on the end and inside last season. Blacklock would likely fit into a rotational role with fellow defensive tackle DJ Jones.
Getting onto a line like San Francisco’s would be good for the TCU alum because it’d get him into plenty of one-on-one matchups where he can slither past offensive linemen to blow up plays in the backfield.
He finished his college career with 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 24 games. Blacklock’s stock may ride on how teams feel about his repaired Achilles, which he tore in 2018 and had to miss his entire redshirt-sophomore campaign.
If he does somehow drop to late in the first round or early in the second round, he could be a player the 49ers target as a rotational interior pass rusher if they need to replace Armstead.