49ers held pre-draft visit with TCU DL Ross Blacklock

The San Francisco 49ers held a pre-draft visit with TCU defensive lineman Ross Blacklock over the weekend, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. NFL teams are permitted to host up to 30 players for official pre-draft visits at their facilities.

Blacklock racked up 40 tackles, nine for a loss, and 3.5 sacks for the Horned Frogs in 2019. He missed the entire 2018 season due to an Achilles injury.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-3 and 290-pound Blacklock had a 40-time of 4.9 seconds, a vertical jump of 29 inches, a broad jump of 107 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 7.77 seconds, and a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.67 seconds. Other measurables for Blacklock include an arm length of 32 3/8 inches and hands that measure 9 3/4 inches.

Below is the NFL.com draft profile bio on Blacklock:

Blacklock showed out as a redshirt freshman for the Horned Frogs, garnering Freshman All-American and Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year honors after posting 27 tackles, 6.5 for loss, and two sacks in 14 starts. Before he got a shot to post an outstanding follow-up sophomore campaign, however, an Achilles injury sidelined him for the year. Blacklock dropped 25 pounds during his rehab year, which showed in his 2019 play when he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors (40 tackles, nine for loss, 3.5 sacks in 12 starts). His father, Jimmy, is in the University of Texas Hall of Fame for his outstanding basketball career. The senior Blacklock also toured with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Blacklock to B.J. Hill, wrote the following about Blacklock within his scouting report:

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.

Measurables

Height: 6-3
Weight: 290 lbs.
Arm length: 32 3/8 inches
Hand length: 9 3/4 inches

NFL Scouting Combine

40-time: 4.9 seconds
Vertical: 29 inches
Broad jump: 107 inches
3-cone drill: 7.77 seconds
20-yard shuttle: 4.67 seconds