49ers training camp 2021: 4 rookies to watch the most
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Offensive Guard Aaron Banks
It sure seemed a shock at the time, given the Niners had some other notably pressing needs in Round 2, but the selection of Notre Dame offensive guard Aaron Banks suggested Kyle Shanahan wanted to put a massive emphasis on improving his team’s pass protection in 2021 and beyond.
The lack of contact at OTAs meant Banks couldn’t fully showcase the physicality and power that made him a second-round draft choice. And he ended up working with the second-string unit during these practices anyway, with the first-team reps going to the versatile Daniel Brunskill at right guard.
Ideally, though, San Francisco wants Banks to win out over Brunskill this summer, making best use of its Round 2 draft pick while reverting Brunskill to a role where he’d be more valuable: an uber-backup of sorts.
But what makes Banks a key player to watch this training camp and preseason is the fact he could wind up seeing the most snaps out of any rookie the 49ers selected last April and May.
As long as he stays healthy, Banks won’t be a part of any rotation and won’t be asked to develop on the bench his rookie year, making his own development a crucial step of the Niners’ remaining offseason program.