State of the 49ers’ offensive line: Progress in pass protection, but more strides are needed – The Athletic

The NFL Scouting Combine is approaching, and the new league year along with free agency begins shortly after that. With that in mind, writers Matt Barrows and David Lombardi ofThe Athleticareteaming up for an eight-part series leading to the combine that looks at every aspect of the49ers roster. Next up: offensive line.

Season in review

Whether its been Chilo Rachal or Marcus Martin or Joshua Garnett, recent 49ers teams have tended to have one highly drafted but underperforming interior offensive lineman on the roster.

Aaron Banks will spend the run-up to the 2022 season trying to make sure his name isnt etched in that list.

The 49ers not only chose Banks in the second round (No. 48), but he was the second pure guard taken in the draft after the Jets selected Alijah Vera-Tucker with the 14th pick. Despite a clear need at right guard, Banks played five offensive snaps as a rookie, all of which came at the end of a blowout win in Jacksonville.

The only other 2021 second-round pick with fewer offensive or defensive snaps than Banks was quarterback Kyle Trask, who was the last player taken in the round and third on the Buccaneers depth chart behind Tom Brady and Blaine Gabbert.

It wasnt as if there was no room for Banks.

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State of the 49ers' offensive line: Progress in pass protection, but more strides are needed - The Athletic