The Houston Texans selected TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock with the 40th overall pick in Round 2 of the 2020 NFL draft
Would the Texans pick Blacklock again if a re-draft were held? Or, would Houston pick someone else entirely.
ESPN posed that exact question for their reporters who cover all 32 teams, and Sarah Barshop, who covers the Texans, predicted Houston would take cornerback Cameron Dantzler over Blacklock in a re-draft.
It was tempting to draft a running back to set the Texans up for the future, but Houston had already traded for David Johnson and committed to his 2020 salary of $11 million. Regardless, it’s clear that it was the defense, not the offense, that needed an upgrade in 2020. Houston’s No. 2 cornerback, Gareon Conley, spent the entire season on injured reserve, and the Texans’ top cornerback, Bradley Roby, was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The Texans are thin at the position, and Dantzler would be a huge upgrade. — Sarah Barshop
Dantzler provided 46 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and four pass breakups in 11 games for the Minnesota Vikings, 10 of which he started. The NFC North club was able to pick up the Mississippi State product with the 89th overall pick in Round 3.
Blacklock collected 14 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits in 15 games for Houston, one of which he started. The former Fort Bend Elkins product was hardly as impactful for the Texans as Dantzler was for the Vikings.
The 6-3, 290-pound defensive tackle presumably will have a full offseason to acclimate to the finer points of the pro game, and a fresh start with new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith. While he may not be the Texans’ pick in a re-draft after his rookie season, there is still time for Blacklock to make good on Houston’s selection.
