49ers updated roster bubble watch after 2021 OTAs
By Peter Panacy
49ers Bubble Watch: Offensive Line
Lock: Alex Mack, Aaron Banks, Daniel Brunskill, Laken Tomlinson, Mike McGlinchey, Trent Williams
Strong Bubble: Colton McKivitz, Jaylon Moore, Shon Coleman
Weak Bubble: Jake Brendel, Tom Compton, Dakoda Shepley, Senio Kelemete
Long Shot: Alfredo Gutierrez, Corbin Kaufusi, Isaiah Williams
Despite former center Weston Richburg’s recent retirement, all but one of the Niners’ starting offensive line positions have essentially been determined, and right guard is the only spot where it’s not yet clear who winds up being the starter.
Ideally, San Francisco’s second-round draft pick, Notre Dame guard Aaron Banks, secures the job over Daniel Brunskill, relegating the latter to a high-quality uber-backup capable of supporting all five spots along the O-line. Yet Brunskill primarily worked with the first-team unit at right guard, whereas Banks was with the second-string group during OTAs.
That could change in training camp, though.
Justin Skule’s injury opens up a significantly better chance for other reserves like Shon Coleman, Colton McKivitz and even Tom Compton to make the roster. Those three will have to compete with another rookie, Western Michigan lineman Jaylon Moore, along with a player recently picked up to alleviate Skule’s loss, former Houston Texans lineman Senio Kelemete.
That said, McKivitz, Coleman and Compton have at least been fully immersed in the 49ers’ blocking scheme, and they’d have an initial leg up over new faces like Moore and Kelemete.
If anything, the Niners have to hope the same O-line attrition suffered last year doesn’t repeat itself in 2021, as the depth behind the likely starting cast remains wide open.