If the Houston Texans want to use one of their top two selections to beef up their interior defensive line, then former TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock should be an option.
Mark Schofield of the Touchdown Wire listed his 11-best defensive tackles coming out in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the former Horned Frog came in at No. 4.
His athleticism and quick first step make him very enticing. Disruption on the interior is not something you can get every play, but Blacklock brings that potential to an NFL team. His effort and motor will endear him to his defensive line coach, and his willingness, or even his desire, to attract double-teams will endear him to the linebackers flowing to the football from behind him. The scheme fit piece will be a big component, but in the right environment he can be a disruptive force for a defensive front.
In Schofield’s evaluation, he also writes that there is an apt comparison between Blacklock and new Texans free agent defensive tackle, Timmy Jernagin. If the Texans were willing to add Jernigan to the fold with his skill set, then Blacklock should at least get consideration given he is a similar player.
“Teams and fans are going to get a leader,” Blacklock told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February. “I’m a natural-born leader as a player. It’s something that just grew a part of me as an athlete — a guy that’s going to be accountable at all times, holds people to high standards, like myself. I want people to hold me to a high standard just like I will hold them to a higher standard as well.”
At 6-3, 290 pounds, Blacklock would have to add some weight to play the nose for the Texans, but he would be willing to do whatever it takes to excel at the professional level.
“I don’t do it for money,” said Blacklock. “Of course you get paid a lot of money, but I just do it for the passion of football.”