Houston Texans: What to expect from Ross Blacklock in 2020

The Houston Texans had Ross Blacklock officially sign this week. What can we expect next?

There is a lot to look forward to for the future of the Houston Texans, and part of the future signed officially on the dotted line this week as five of the Texans’ 2020 draft picks joined the team with their signature on a contract.

The biggest potential star for the Texans to do so was second-round pick — Houston didn’t have a first-round choice — Ross Blacklock, as his potential could be off the charts once he gets onto the field and in a Texans helmet.

Blacklock was a excellent choice out of TCU this past April by the Houston Texans because he did so well in his final collegiate season, where he collected nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks as a pass rusher for the Texans while playing in the interior defensive line. Blacklock totaled 40 tackles (25 for loss) in 12 games played in 2019.

When the Houston Texans lost D.J. Reader this offseason in free agency, as he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, that left a huge team need. Blacklock was a first-round talent available in the second round when it came time for the team to make their selection. When the Texans drafted Blacklock, the loss of Reader didn’t hurt as much because of the potential Blacklock brings to the interior defensive line.

What is going to be most interesting for the newly signed Blacklock is how he’ll be able to play next to J.J. Watt this season, and the fact that this summer during training camp the rookie defensive tackle has a good opportunity to be named a starter. The potential is there for Blacklock and the Texans defensive line to really make their mark, and they will be tested very early with the first two games of the season being against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.

Houston Texans: What can we expect from Ross Blacklock in 2020?

Being that he is a rookie and new to the league, how much is a realistic expectation for Ross Blacklock this upcoming season? If the rookie can just improve each week with the team, he can finish the season with a good number of tackles for loss, gain at least four to five sacks, and maybe even more important, earn a starter’s role and make each play easier for the veterans surrounding him.

If an opposing offensive line has to focus more on Blacklock, that will leave someone open on the Texans defense, and that will be a needed addition by Blacklock to fill that role vacated by the aforementioned Reader.

Maybe the expectations will be very high for Blacklock because of his potential, but he has the ability and talent to be the next great defensive tackle to play for the Texans. All of that starts now, as he’s officially a member of the Houston Texans, and Blacklock is about to start his very first training camp for the franchise.

It is time to get excited for the second-round pick, and fans shouldn’t be disappointed in what we are all about to see from Ross Blacklock in his first season with the Houston Texans.