5 players the 49ers would love to extend after Brandon Aiyuk
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: Offensive guard Aaron Banks
While San Francisco's offensive line might be viewed as the team's biggest weakness, the left side of the line is certainly a strength.
Sure, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams is the best in the business, but left guard Aaron Banks has been exceptional ever since taking over the starting job back in 2022 when Laken Tomlinson departed the team that year via free agency.
Banks is a bit more of a question mark, at least as far as extensions go, because the 2024 NFL Draft is laden with starting-caliber linemen, and the 49ers could easily seek two or even three prospects to both upgrade and replace the cast from last season.
While Banks is under contract for one more year, it's possible the Niners repeat the very same process they did with him and Tomlinson, grabbing a rookie to sit behind Banks for a year before making the transition.
If that's not the path, though, Banks is an excellent candidate for an extension.
Guards typically don't command the kind of contracts that tackles receive, meaning San Francisco might be able to extend the third-year starter on a relatively affordable deal.