49ers depth chart: 3 players who see reduced role in 2021
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Offensive Lineman Daniel Brunskill
The 49ers didn’t use a second-round NFL Draft pick on former Notre Dame guard Aaron Banks to simply let him sit on the bench as a backup.
No, ideally, the Niners are able to thrust the powerful pass-blocking Banks into the starting lineup right away. And despite San Francisco using the No. 3 overall pick in the draft on quarterback Trey Lance, it might actually be Banks who ends up seeing the most field time out of any player from the 49ers’ 2021 rookie class.
With left guard Laken Tomlinson essentially cemented in at his spot this season, the only real battle for a starting job would be at right guard and with Daniel Brunskill.
Related Story: Daniel Brunskill gives 49ers more value as a backup
Brunskill has proven himself to be a reliable starter, filling in at all five spots along the O-line at one point or another the last two years.
Yet that’s where Brunskill’s value resides… as a quality backup. Not as a 16-game starter, which he was a year ago.
The Niners will want to maximize their draft investment on Banks as soon as possible, while using someone like Brunskill as an immediate starting-caliber reserve to support whatever position might need it in the wake of an unforeseen injury.