49ers roster: Stock up, stock down on 2021 NFL Draft class

49ers OL Aaron Banks

It was a little odd to see Pro Football Focus give the 49ers’ second-round pick from the 2021 draft, offensive guard Aaron Banks, a 0.0 pass-blocking grade from preseason Week 1.

Perhaps another example of why PFF’s evaluatory system is far from perfect.

That said, Banks has had his share of ups and downs leading up to his limited action at the beginning of the preseason, and suffering a shoulder injury midway through the game that’ll effectively cancel the rest of his exhibition efforts doesn’t help his maturation either.

Yet that’s only one part behind why Banks’ stock value is currently on the decline.

Fair enough, Banks was more of a power mover during his college days at Notre Dame. And while pass protection was his forte, it was generally understood he’d need time to acclimate to the zone-heavy offense employed by Kyle Shanahan.

Through much of organized team activities and training camp, Banks was still trying to make this adjustment, and there were few indications he was anywhere close to overtaking the veteran, Daniel Brunskill, at right guard.

In the wake of Banks’ injury, Brunskill has almost assured a starting spot, while Banks will begin his rookie year as a backup.

The Niners have to be hoping they don’t have another case of an underperforming, highly drafted offensive lineman, as they did with former 2016 first-rounder Joshua Garnett, on their hands.