Instant Analysis: TCU’s Ross Blacklock drafted by Houston Texans

One of TCU’s most dominant interior linemen ever now has an NFL home. Ross Blacklock has been drafted by the Houston Texans in the second round, with the 40th overall pick. Blacklock is the third Horned Frog off the board in this year’s draft.

Blacklock returned in 2019 after missing all of 2018 with an Achilles injury, recording nine tackles for loss and three and a half sacks, despite facing double teams the majority of the time.

Here’s how Melissa described Blacklock in her preview:

An athletic freak, Blacklock has elite bloodlines; as has been well-reported, his father is a former Harlem Globetrotter and coach, a Hall of Honor member at UT. He was dunking a basketball at an age when most of us were still trying to figure out the whole shoe-tying thing, and the three sport high school athlete probably would be probably be focused on hitting jumpers instead of quarterbacks if it weren’t for an intrinsic desire to level people and a thought process that basketball was a little “too soft”. He was an all-state swimmer and a Junior Olympics participant in the long jump. He caught, pitched, played first base, and hit monster home runs as a youth. He was a top 100 player in the state when he gave up the diamond for the field.

Blacklock now heads to Houston, close to home. Blacklock hails from Missouri City, about a 15 minute drive from NRG Stadium where the Texans play. So Ross heads back home, where they are in need of another significant interior presence - one that few can provide like Ross. He joins a D-Line that includes Charles Omenihu, Brandon Dunn, Tim Jernigan and Eddie Vanderdoes and will work under the tutelage of defensive mind Anthony Weaver.

Weaver spent the last four seasons as Houston’s DL coach before being promoted to Defensive Coordinator this offseason.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has to say about Blacklock:

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.

Congrats, Ross!!