2021 NFL Draft: Aaron Banks is a mid-round IOL prospect to watch

The 2021 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent all across the offensive line. The offensive tackle class is legitimately elite, filled with premier players at the position at the top of the class and tremendous depth throughout. While we do not hear as much about the interior offensive linemen in the 2021 NFL Draft class, it is also a strong group that is going to include many useful starting-caliber players at the next level.

One interior offensive line prospect who is flying completely under-the-radar and deserves more attention is Aaron Banks out of Notre Dame. Banks was a three-year starter on one of the best offensive lines in college football and quickly became a strong and stable presence at the left guard position. Banks was absolutely dominant at left guard for the Irish this past season and was rewarded with a first-team All-American selection by many publications.

Banks is a massive offensive guard prospect (coming in at over 6-foot-5, 338 pounds at the Senior Bowl) whose hand strength and natural power at the point of attack immediately stand out on tape. Banks fires out of his stance quickly, shows a quick and precise initial punch, and does a great job of controlling defenders with his high-level grip strength.

While he is not the most impressive offensive lineman athletically, Banks does show some nice flexibility for a man of his size which allows him to get low and maintain proper pad level throughout each block. He is an absolutely dominant run blocker who plays the game with tremendous physicality and clearly enjoys driving opposing defenders down the field.

Big and powerful player who can come in and make an immediate impact

Banks does lack ideal movement skills up front, showing limited range and struggles against speed rushers at times. But what do you expect from a player of his size? No, Banks is not a special athlete but he understands his strengths as a player well. Banks does do a nice job of maintaining a wide base as both a run blocker and pass protector, allowing him to maintain his balance and stay on his feet almost no matter the situation.

In pass protection, Banks is a high IQ player who always seems to understand where his rushers are coming from and how to get into position to protect his quarterback. He shows the ability to fire out aggressively and stun the opposing pass rusher but also displays good patience when needed. He uses his tremendous natural strength and ability to stay low extremely well when dealing with power rushers, leading to legitimately elite anchoring ability.

Simply put, Banks is an extremely talented offensive line prospect who is ready to come in and make an immediate impact at the next level. He is undoubtedly best-suited to play in a gap rushing scheme at the next level but does have enough quickness to hold his own in an inside zone scheme.

Banks is a high-level offensive guard prospect who will be a dependable player up front at the next level. He will likely be a late-Day 2 selection at the earliest but I would have no issue with a team that features a power-based rushing scheme taking Banks in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.