Overview
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.
Strengths
Extremely athletic and agile in short spaces
Knees stay bent and pads stay low
Snappy initial quickness
Can find and split a double-team crevice
Leverage and leg drive to play under and through edge blocks
Rush instincts of a defensive end
Never in one place for long as a rusher
Elite lateral quickness and directional change unlock his disruption
Changes speeds and stride length to tilt blockers and loosen the edge
Plays with fast hands and sudden arm-over
Impossible for only one player to mirror
Relentless pass-rush energy
Weaknesses
Missed all of 2018 with Achilles tear
Drops head into double-team challenges
Inconsistent as two-gapper
Struggles keeping pads square on the move
Needs improved hand placement and angles for quicker shed
Knocked around by interior power
Ends up on the ground too often
Loses rush momentum to a stiff punch
Failed to convert pressures to sacks at a steady clip