49ers roster: 5 players whose stock is plummeting rapidly

No. 1: 49ers Offensive Guard Aaron Banks

Luckily, San Francisco’s starting offensive line has remained entirely healthy over the course of 2021.

Let’s hope things stay that way because the depth behind the starters is a massive weakness.

This, namely because the 49ers’ second-round draft pick, offensive guard Aaron Banks, has been a massive disappointment after scuffling during training camp, suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason and then finding himself a weekly inactive over the first three weeks of 2021.

Like Ambry Thomas, Banks was given every chance at securing the starting right guard spot over the veteran, Daniel Brunskill, which would have relegated Brunskill to a primary backup for all five spots, maximizing the latter’s value exponentially.

Also like Thomas, it’s still too soon to fully judge Banks as a bust. Yet the fact the Niners have regularly dressed fifth-round rookie Jaylon Moore as a reserve and not Banks, the higher-profile player, says a lot about the team’s second-round pick.

Not good.

Even more troubling, Banks, Thomas and Trey Sermon were all three key players selected on day two of the NFL Draft who were expected to compete for the top spots on their respective depth charts.

Needless to say, the deliverables have been underwhelming. Especially with Banks not even seeing regular-season action yet.