With Alex Mack retiring, the 49ers have now lost three of their 2021 offensive line starters. After five years in San Francisco, Laken Tomlinson joined the Jets in free agency. Although Tom Compton worked as a Mike McGlinchey fill-in, he played well; San Francisco’s primary 2021 right tackle is now in Denver.
These exits magnify this position group, which still returns McGlinchey, Trent Williams and Daniel Brunskill. The 49ers are aiming for 2021 second-round pick Aaron Banks to take over for Tomlinson at left guard, with Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle noting the Notre Dame product is the heavy favorite to start at that position. The 49ers considered making a late-season change at right guard last year, citing Banks’ development.
Kyle Shanahan said Banks had progressed to the point he could have replaced Brunskill in the lineup late last season. While the 49ers held off on making a change due to their second-half surge that ended in the NFC championship game, Shanahan certainly seems to have confidence Banks can man one of the team’s guard spots this year. Without Tomlinson and Mack, Banks’ progress becomes more important in Year 2.
A preseason shoulder injury stonewalled Banks’ potential path to the starting lineup, and the team did not pull his de facto redshirt henceforth. Banks played just five offensive snaps as a rookie. The 49ers ended up giving their first- and second-round picks from 2021 developmental seasons, with Trey Lance not threatening an injury-riddled Jimmy Garoppolo‘s job security. Lance detailed his own 2021 injury struggles recently and is still on track to replace Garoppolo in September. While that is not a lock, the 49ers are planning for Lance and Banks promotions to become official soon.
McGlinchey’s former college teammate, Banks would have played left tackle had he stayed for his 2021 senior season. He finished his junior year as an All-American guard. With Brunskill going into a contract year, Banks has a clear path to succeeding Tomlinson as San Francisco’s long-term guard option. The 49ers will count on 2021’s 48th overall pick shaking off his rookie-year no-show, or else they will need to start over on their interior O-line.
Everything’s fine
The 49ers really need to sign J.C. Tretter, then I think everything MIGHT be fine…
As of now, they’ll be starting Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Dakoda Shepley, Daniel Brunskill, and Mike McGlinchey…
The Center position in Kyle’s offense is absolutely paramount to its success as he makes the checks and the pre-snap line adjustments/shifts…So, it is pretty vital that he has someone he can trust, and Shepley just isn’t there yet…Or at least, I’m betting he isn’t…unfortunately..
I think Brendel is probably who you mean, but your points are valid… neither get me excited. Tretter would be great as they get the rookie candidates (West, Zakelj, Burford, Poe) acclimated to the system.
I would move brunskil to center where he has played and put the 2nd year lineman jaylon Moore at right guard. That way you have both young guys with veterans on there right and left.training camp will take care of all of these questions. I think we have plenty of depth though.