49ers NFL Draft: Ranking each rookie by projected 2021 impact

49ers Rookie No. 1: Aaron Banks, Guard

The consensus No. 1 for most people would be Aaron Banks, who looks like he’ll be the frontrunner for one of the guard positions right away.

While nothing can be guaranteed, the 49ers thought highly enough of Banks to pick him in the middle of the second round. I was advocating upgrading the interior offensive line as something just as important for San Francisco as upgrading the secondary if not more so, and the Niners apparently agreed.

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Banks will need to adjust for the 49ers’ zone-blocking scheme, but he’s a big guard who can pull defensive linemen. He’s especially suited for the running game, and that’ll suit Kyle Shanahan’s run-heavy scheme perfectly fine.

Colton McKivitz and Justin Skule don’t look like they have what it takes to better Banks, and Daniel Brunskill is much better suited as a quality backup who can be plugged in to play in any position that needs a quick fix.

This is Banks’ battle to lose. Adjust well to the scheme, and his natural ability will take care of the rest and enable him to start in Week 1.