2021 NFL Draft: San Francisco 49ers 7-round mock

Sep 26, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs the ball against Missouri Tigers defensive back Ishmael Burdine (24) during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) celebrates with offensive lineman Aaron Banks (69) after scoring the game winning touchdown in the second overtime against the Clemson Tigers at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

IOL. Aaron Banks. 102. player. 819. Scouting Report. Notre Dame. Pick Analysis

The offensive line was a significant issue for San Francisco in 2020, with most of the Niners’ problems in the trenches stemming from a lack of continuity on the interior, with several different combinations at center and right guard providing little assistance to Garoppolo and then Nick Mullens, who was the most pressured quarterback in the NFL last season.

If the 49ers are to realize their hopes of contending for a return to the postseason in 2021, they need to have a settled lineup on the O-Line. Therefore, fixing an interior that was San Francisco’s Achilles heel in their Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs must be near the top of the 49ers’ to-do list.

Banks stood out consistently at the Senior Bowl, his length and his ability to anchor allowing him to win his reps in one on one pass protection drills while he also succeeded in getting to the second level in the run game, something he would be asked to do frequently by the Niners.

He is not a perfect fit for the 49ers’ zone-heavy run scheme. However, the 49ers have implemented more gap elements to their ground attack in recent times and, with Banks offering some positional versatility in being able to play tackle, he represents good value at the end of the third round.

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