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San Francisco 49ers 2021 Roster Preview: Inside Offensive Line

With training camp starting in less than two weeks, this is the perfect time to take a look at each player in the San Francisco 49ers roster and see how they fit in with the team going into training camp. So far we’ve covered the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. Today we take a look at the interior offensive line.

Alex Mack

The 49ers signed the 12-year-old veteran to the free agency early on. Despite his age, Mack is still playing at a high level and has only missed two games in the last six seasons. This is one of the most important qualities that Mack brings.

Last season there were music chairs in the center and right guard positions, and with that came a lack of communication and missed calls. Mack has experience under Kyle Shanahan, and his presence should give the offensive the signal caller it missed in 2020.

Aaron Banks

Despite weighing 338 pounds and being 6’5 tall, Banks demonstrates the ability to move well in space. Banks is a punitive run blocker who can get defenders off the scrimmage line at the point of attack while having the athleticism to reach linebackers on the second level.

However, the most impressive aspect of his game, and where he is likely to help Mike McGlinchey the most, is his passport protection. Banks was a dominant pass blocker while at Notre Dame.

Tomlinson sheet

In 2020, if anyone benefits from the fighting on the right side of the 49ers offensive line, it is Laken Tomlinson. While the majority of the attention around the porous offensive line was focused on McGlinchey, many don’t remember that it was a missed block from Tomlinson that resulted in the strike in week two at Jimmy Garoppolo, who was the quarterback for most of the season would incapacitate with high ankle sprain.

The overall game of the seven-year-old veteran definitely went back a step last season. Although only three sacks were allowed in a year, there were a number of missed duties in both running game and pass protection that hampered the offense’s performance.

Tomlinson is entering the final year of the contract extension he signed following his acquisition from the Detroit Lions in 2017. Tomlinson will only be 29 years old next year and play for a new contract.

Daniel Brunskill

In his second season with the 49ers, Brunskill once again showed the versatility that earned him a place in the squad in 2019. Originally planned as the Right Guard, injuries to Weston Richburg and Ben Garland forced Brunskill to do most of the training at the center camp. When the season finally started, Brunskill was sent back to right guard where he would start the first eight games of the season before being relocated back to the center for the final eight games.

Despite all the hopping between positions, Brunskill held up pretty well. 2021 looks similar for Brunskill. While his main focus will likely be on supporting Mack at the center, Brunskill will also be there as a backup on the right watch and tackle.

Jaylon Moore

The 6’4 “, 311-pound offensive lineman was originally recruited to West Michigan as a tight end. He spent some time on the defensive line before moving to the offensive line, where he started every game in 2018. While Moore one Tackle was for the Broncos, he has the option to play either as a guard or tackle in the NFL, make sure Moore is a swing tackle who can fill in anywhere along the offensive line outside of center.

Other: Isaiah Williams, Senior Kelemete, Jake Brendel, Dakoda Shepley, Tom Compton, Corbin Kaufusi

Outlook for 2021:

The newcomers from Mack and Banks could prove to be the key to turning the 49ers offensive. Mack should provide stability and leadership for the entire offensive line. Having an experienced “quarterback” shouting the signals for this group will make everyone better.

The one question mark in the middle of the offensive is Banks. As a rookie, there is no guarantee how your game will carry over to the NFL. If Banks can step in and become the dominant force against the pass rush he had at Notre Dame, the 49ers quarterbacks should be able to stay upright much more often than they were in 2020.

With Tomlinson in his final year of his contract, the 49ers may be seeing the best the veteran has to offer. Last season was a bit of a struggle for the veteran, but the competition for a new contract along with Moore brought in to give a boost could be just what San Francisco needs to get the most out of Tomlinson.

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