The Houston Texans were able to get a private workout with one of the 2020 NFL Draft’s interior defensive linemen before the COVID-19 pandemic turned the offseason virtual.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans had a private workout with former TCU Horned Frog Ross Blacklock. The Missouri City Elkins product has had a total of 15 video conferences, which included visits with the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks.
Ross Blacklock @1krozayy worked out for Texans before NFL shutdown of private workouts. He has had 15 video conferences, including Ravens, 49ers, Panthers, Titans and Seahawks https://t.co/zu87Nq4oJZ
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 20, 2020
At TCU, Blacklock played both the zero technique and the three-technique, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors in the process.
“In our defense you’ve got to be able to play both,” Blacklock said at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “You’ve got to be comfortable to play both, because when the offense shifts — the back shifts, or the tight-end set shifts or whatever the case may be — you’ve got to be able to flip sides and be able to play both sides of the ball.”
Adding Blacklock, who is 6-4, 305 pounds, would be a quick way for the Texans to beef up an interior defensive line that is relying on Brandon Dunn and Timmy Jernigan to replace the production of D.J. Reader, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency.
“I’m comfortable with any part of the line — end, nose, 3-tech, any of those — but I see myself playing in the NFL playing 3-tech,” said Blacklock.
The Texans’ first pick of the draft is at 40th overall in the second round on April 24, day two of the draft. Houston’s next selection is 90th overall in the third round. The Texans’ only shot to get Blacklock may be 40th overall, but that might be too high for the value the redshirt junior would bring. However, 90th overall, late in the third round, may be too late to get Blacklock.