49ers’ 4 biggest remaining holes ahead of 2022 NFL Draft

49ers hole No. 1: Offensive guard

One could make an argument the entirety of San Francisco’s offensive line interior could stand for some reinforcements, and the 49ers may need to seek out a starting-caliber right tackle to fill in for a still-injured Mike McGlinchey early in 2022 with the prospects of potentially replacing him the following year when McGlinchey’s contract expires.

However, if McGlinchey is healthy, a tackle isn’t as pressing a need. And right now, signs are pointing to veteran Pro Bowl center Alex Mack returning and not retiring.

But the two guard spots create some notable question marks.

In the wake of Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson leaving via free agency, the Niners may be looking to slot in their second-round pick from 2021, Aaron Banks, into that void. However, Banks largely disappointed in his prospects to take over right guard last year, found himself frequently inactive for the first half of the season and ended up seeing only five regular-season snaps during the year.

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Maybe Banks turns a page in 2022, but that’s still very much a “maybe” question.

Additionally, right guard Daniel Brunskill falls into that Emmanuel Moseley-like category: a player good enough to start but seemingly always prompting a desire to upgrade.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see San Francisco use its first pick on an interior lineman with the idea of playing him at one of those two guard spots right out of the gate.