4 players 49ers should explore trading early in 2022

49ers Trade Candidate No. 2: Offensive Guard Aaron Banks

This one is a little bit trickier.

If the Niners were to put rookie offensive guard Aaron Banks on the 2022 trade block, it would be a full admission their second-round NFL Draft investment turned into a flop, effectively stating John Lynch and the front office gaffed on the pick.

Considering Banks has seen just five offensive snaps this season and has been inactive for the bulk of his rookie year, though, it might be an indication San Francisco doesn’t plan on including him over the long term.

Putting Banks on the trade block creates some new problems in addition to the ones already there, namely the future of pending free-agent left guard Laken Tomlinson and the need to upgrade over right guard Daniel Brunskill, adding to the need of having adequate depth.

Related Story: 3 guards to watch in 2022 draft if Aaron Banks goes bust

Yet this offseason might be the last time the 49ers can still “sell high” on Banks’ pre-draft value, perhaps citing his lack of fit in Kyle Shanahan’s outside-zone scheme and looking to move him to more of a man-gap offense within which Banks could perform better.

True, the Niners would likely take a substantial hit on the investment anyway, perhaps not getting anything but a day-three draft pick in return.

But teams are typically eager to grab players on cheap rookie contracts, and that’s what Banks will have the next three seasons.

It’s worth a try if Banks isn’t part of San Francisco’s future.