Aaron Banks: What to expect from 49ers guard in Year 1

The 49ers are hoping Aaron Banks, their second-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, turns into a plug-and-play starter at guard this season.

Some may have been a bit shocked when the San Francisco 49ers passed on a cornerback or even a wide receiver in Round 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft, instead electing to go with Notre Dame offensive guard Aaron Banks at No. 48 overall instead.

Yet the transaction followed a theme the Niners had been engineering much of the offseason: improve and reinforce the offensive line.

Banks’ selection was preceded by San Francisco re-signing perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams to a lucrative six-year new contract, as well as inking free-agent center Alex Mack to beef up the interior.

Yet Banks, a rookie with a lot to prove before he is handed a starting job, is nevertheless expected to anchor a position sooner than later.

In the ideal scenario, it’ll be at right guard. And right away.

Aaron Banks will have to beat out Daniel Brunskill first

One of the prime reasons the 49ers brought Banks aboard was because of his pass-protection skills. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman didn’t allow a sack his final year at Notre Dame. And while he primarily played at left guard during his collegiate tenure, the Niners feel as if he has the skills to successfully operate in a zone-style system despite him being more of a power mover.

Yet the job at right guard won’t simply be handed to him.

Currently, San Francisco is working the uber-versatile Daniel Brunskill in with the first-team unit at right guard, while Banks primarily saw second-string left guard duties in camp.

Related Story: Daniel Brunskill should revert to a backup

The 49ers want to maximize their second-round investment, however, and it makes sense for Brunskill to revert back into a quality backup capable of supporting all five positions if necessary.

That’ll mean Banks has to impress a lot during training camp, proving his relatively limited side-to-side range won’t hinder him from being effective in a zone system.

Could Aaron Banks be 49ers’ most impactful rookie in 2021?

While the bulk of the Niners’ offseason and NFL Draft hype centered around rookie quarterback Trey Lance, and to a lesser extent running back Trey Sermon, Banks could end up being the player who sees the most field time out of any of San Francisco’s first-year players.

Lance isn’t expected to start right away — that job goes to the veteran, Jimmy Garoppolo — and Sermon is likely to be part of a running back rotation even if he winds up securing the starting gig.

After that, the bulk of 49ers draftees and undrafted free agents are either expected to serve as reserves or camp bodies, potentially landing on the practice squad or the back end of the 53-man roster.

Consequently, Banks could end up being the player who sees the maximum number of snaps out of all the Niners rookies this season, potentially in the range of 1,000-plus, if he stays healthy and contributes well enough.

That’ll be a pretty big load for a first-year player, but it would also indicate San Francisco is getting as much value out of Banks as possible.

And the offensive line should hopefully be better because of it.