49ers roster: 4 players who can replace retired Alex Mack right now
By Peter Panacy
49ers option to replace Alex Mack No. 2: Daniel Brunskill
The 2020 season sheds some light on what the 49ers may have to experience heading into a post-Alex Mack era. For those who forgot, the Niners were going to be without their previous starter entering that season, Weston Richburg, which created a revolving door at the position that eventually settled upon a solution of bumping the versatile Daniel Brunskill over from guard.
Brunskill, who’s currently slated to start at right guard in 2022, played San Francisco’s final eight games in 2020 at center.
It wasn’t hard to recognize Brunskill regressed a bit in this role, though, and it’s fair to wonder if this spot might be his weakest positioning among an otherwise flexible list of O-line assignments.
There’s another caveat, though, as pointed out by Pro Football Focus’ Jeff Deeney:
I have to think with the instability at both guard positions, the #49ers go out and sign a veteran center. I can’t imagine they want to start the Lance era with question marks at all three interior line spots.
— Jeff Deeney (@PFF_Jeff) June 2, 2022
The 49ers are poised to start second-year lineman Aaron Banks at left guard this season, and Banks had only five regular-season offensive snaps a season ago. Opening up a new void at right guard, should Brunskill move over, would mean a shaky interior for the Niners O-line.
Not exactly the best of ways to ensure quarterback Trey Lance is adequately protected.
That might convince Kyle Shanahan and Co. to go outside of their own on-roster options.