49ers depth chart: Ranking 5 most important backups in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Offensive Lineman Daniel Brunskill
He’s not technically a backup just yet, but that’s likely the long-term plan for the super-versatile offensive lineman, Daniel Brunskill, in 2021.
San Francisco added two rookie linemen in this year’s NFL Draft, Notre Dame’s Aaron Banks and Western Michigan’s Jaylon Moore. And while Moore is pegged to compete for a backup job this offseason, Banks has the full intention of emerging as a starter, likely bumping Brunskill from the starting right guard position back into a key reserve.
And that’s a good thing for the 49ers.
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What makes Brunskill so valuable to the Niners isn’t necessarily his ability to start. Rather it’s his ability to support multiple positions along the offensive line.
In 2019, Brunskill saw ample time at both tackle spots, as well as getting some snaps in at guard. Last year, despite being pegged as the team’s starting right guard, Brunskill was asked to fill in at center, too. And while his efforts there weren’t as high-quality as elsewhere along the O-line, it’s reassuring to know he can be an effective backup there, too.
Brunskill’s ability to support multiple spots along the O-line could effectively eliminate the need to dress three backup linemen on game day, saving one of those roster spots to reinforce another area of need.