49ers’ incumbent guard not threatened by rookie
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t the only 49ers starter put on notice early in the 2021 NFL draft.
In the second round, 45 picks after selecting QB Trey Lance with the third overall selection, the 49ers grabbed Aaron Banks, a first-team All-American last year at Notre Dame. The message to incumbent right guard Daniel Brunskill, a 16-game starter in 2020: Don’t get comfortable.
On Wednesday, Brunskill, 27, was asked whether he had any clue the 49ers planned to use an early pick on an interior lineman. He smiled and noted NFL stars might get a heads-up on such a selection. Left unsaid by the undrafted free agent who spent two seasons on the Falcons’ practice squad and had a stint in the defunct Alliance of American Football: He wasn’t in that hierarchy.
“In the NFL, I don’t think anyone really gets updated on those type of things, unless you’re way up there,” Brunskill said. “But at the end of the day, whether a guy comes in the second round or a guy comes in undrafted, there’s always guys competing. It’s a competitive
sport. And you get used to it.”
However, guard isn’t viewed as a premier position in the NFL, meaning teams expect those rookies to start when they invest an early-round pick on the spot. Besides Brunskill, the 49ers’ offensive line includes four first-round picks — tackles Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey, center Alex Mack and left guard Laken Tomlinson — and the hope was that Banks would fill out the front five.
Banks didn’t threaten Brunskill early in training camp as he experienced growing pains while adjusting to a zone-blocking scheme that was far different from Notre Dame’s. Then Banks suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason opener Aug. 14 and remains sidelined.
As a result, it appears Brunskill has a chance to retain his starting spot, at least until 2022. That’s not a surprise to those familiar with his story: Brunskill, who also has started games at right tackle, left tackle and center in the NFL, is as resilient as he is versatile.
Brunskill began his college career as a walk-on blocking tight end at San Diego State who didn’t earn a scholarship until he was a redshirt junior. In 2017, his first season in the NFL, he was optimistic about making the Falcons’ 53-man roster before final cuts. Atlanta then traded for a swing tackle, Ty Sambrailo, on cut-down day and waived Brunskill. What followed: two practice-squad seasons and an unexpected tour with the AAF’s San Diego Fleet before he landed with the 49ers in 2019.
Garoppolo terms Brunskill a “hard-nosed dude.” Brunskill said his background helped steel him when the 49ers used the No. 48 pick on Banks.
“Coming from where I came from, I’m already used to that type of stuff,” Brunskill said. “... It’s a cutthroat business. So you take the punches as you can. And you just go out there and perform. The guys that focus on doing what they do and controlling what they can control, handle it the best.”
About Brunskill’s focus: His modest pedigree means he hasn’t become complacent in the NFL, but he acknowledged the selection of Banks pushed him to reach another level.
“I think any time you’re in a stiff competition, it changes your focus,” Brunskill said. “...
You come in with a focused attitude every day versus when you’re at the job and things can start relaxing a little bit. You don’t try to do that. That’s just human nature. You miss a snap count. You’re a little late. You miss a call. You’re not reading the defense right. When you have somebody right on your tail, you’re extra focused.”
Brunskill, who is the final year of his contract, mentioned multiple times Wednesday the importance of personally mentoring Banks, despite what the rookie’s development might mean for his starting spot. However, Brunskill might not be relinquishing it in 2021.
“I think he’s going to be a really good player one day,” Brunskill said. “He’s definitely worth the draft pick we used on him. He just needs that time to develop. We just need to keep working with him. For how big he is and how he’s able to move and swallow up guys — we’ve just got to get him on the right page and to go out there and play ball. And it’s going to be a hell of a product.”