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Packers Draft Prospects: Ross Blacklock’s Strengths and Weaknesses

By Brian Sampson

AMES, IA - OCTOBER 28: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by linebacker Ty Summers #42, and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock #90 of the TCU Horned Frogs as he rushed for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 14-7 over the TCU Horned Frogs. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - OCTOBER 28: Running back David Montgomery #32 of the Iowa State Cyclones is tackled by linebacker Ty Summers #42, and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock #90 of the TCU Horned Frogs as he rushed for yards in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 14-7 over the TCU Horned Frogs. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Ross Blacklock could be a target for the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Here are his strengths and weaknesses.

The Green Bay Packers struggled to stop the run last season, ranking near the bottom of the league. While many people can point to Blake Martinez as the reason why, it’s inaccurate to only blame him. Outside of Kenny Clark, the Packers got very little from their defensive line.

Dean Lowry, Tyler Lancaster, Kinglsey Keke and Montravius Adams have the potential to be contributors on the line, but haven’t quite lived up to the hype. That’s where a high draft pick like Ross Blacklock could come in handy. Blacklock should be ready to contribute early and could help stabilize Green Bay at a position of need. Let’s take a look at his strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths

Versatility: Whether it be a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive alignment, Blacklock can do it all. He’s a versatile player that can move all over the line and present matchup issues for the offense. Mike Pettine loves to move his players around and values the versatility Blacklock brings to the table.

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Power: Blacklock is a pro at taking on double-teams and still winning the matchup. He can power through the line to stop the run or the pass. He’s a pocket-mover from the interior, quickly cramping the quarterback’s space and his ability to step into the throw.

Motor: He never stops working and will continue to fight on every play. That’s something every team could use more of, especially the Packers. You know this guy is going to fly to the ball no matter where it’s at and outwork his opponents.

Weaknesses

Injury History: Although it’s not a long injury history, Blacklock suffered a major one when he injured his Achilles in 2018. He came back last year and played better than ever–accruing 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. Still, it’s something to keep an eye on, as the injuring your Achilles like that can sap your athleticism and have a lasting impact. With teams being limited in the draft process due to COVID-19, it will be worth keeping an eye on how that affects players like Blacklock.

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Reading the Play: The biggest area he has to improve in is his ability to read and diagnose plays. He often gets caught in the misdirection of the offense and is out of position. Hopefully, he can improve in this area with some good coaching and more experience.

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