Ex-Vikings Defender Lands with Giants
The New York Giants have been eliminated from postseason contention, showcasing a dreadful 2-11 record through 14 weeks, as most Giants enthusiasts have turned their attention to the team’s 2025 draft needs.
Ex-Vikings Defender Lands with Giants
But roster moves are still necessary, and New York added former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Ross Blacklock on Tuesday.
The Talkin‘ Giants podcast account tweeted on X, “Giants have signed QB Tim Boyle, DL Ross Blacklock, CB Ekow Boye-Doe & CB Azizi Hearn to the Practice Squad. CB Greg Stroman was signed to the active roster. CB Tre Hawkins was placed on IR. C Jimmy Morrissey has been placed on Practice Squad IR.”
Blacklock last played for the Tennessee Titans a season ago. Here’s his NFL resume to date:
- Houston Texans (2020–2021)
- Minnesota Vikings (2022)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2023)
- Indianapolis Colts (2023)
- Tennessee Titans (2023)
- New York Giants (2024)
And Blacklock will join this group of Giants interior defensive linemen:
- Rakeem Nunez-Roches
- Jordon Riley
- Casey Rogers
- Elijah Chatman
- Cory Durden
- Elijah Garcia
- Dexter Lawrence (IR)
- D.J. Davidson (IR)
- Armon Watts (IR)
- Ross Blacklock (Practice Squad)
In 2022, Minnesota sent a 6th-Round pick to Houston and received Blacklock and a 7th-Rounder in return. The TCU alumnus struggled to catch on with the Vikings and hence encountered the roster-cut fate after defenders Jonathan Bullard and Jaquelin Roy made the active roster in “Blacklock’s spot” in 2023.
Blacklock played in 11 games for the Vikings, starting none, with 139 defensive snaps alongside a lackluster 46.4 Pro Football Focus grade. The young defender will need a career renaissance in New York to effectuate his 2nd-Round draft stock from four years ago. And while that’s certainly still possible, he’s essentially starting near the bottom on the team’s practice squad.
During the 2020 NFL Draft lead-up, Pro Football Network described Blacklock’s skillset as “quick, explosive one-gap tackle with big upside” and someone who “plays smart, instinctive football and quickly locates the ball carrier.”
The veteran defender produced a 50.4 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021, his final season with the Texans — when he played somewhat regularly. Blacklock scored a 66.4 mark via pass-rushing but a 39.0 in run-stopping. So, to date, his performance is lopsided.
The Giants next play the Baltimore Ravens at home on Sunday and are expected to lose by 15 points. Yes, you read that right. Blacklock could actually see playing time this season after injuries to the aforementioned Lawrence and Davidson.
New York employs two other former Vikings: Ihmir Smith-Marsette (WR) and Armon Watts (DT, IR).
Blacklock will turn 27 next summer.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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