5 interior offensive linemen Panthers could pick in the 2021 draft
By Dean Jones
Aaron Banks – Notre Dame
It came as no surprise that Notre Dame had one of college football’s best offensive lines in 2020. They were as productive a group as the Fighting Irish has ever had and this almost guarantees that four of last season’s starters will be taken at some stage during the all-important draft weekend.
Aaron Banks has all the makings of a Day 1 starter in the NFL that could be productive for years to come. He was a vital cog for many years with Notre Dame and has the sort of frame that is already more than ready for the rigors of the next level.
Banks thrives preventing oncoming interior rushers from getting through in tight windows, although leaving him on a mini-island will bring about some complications initially. The prospect is listed at 6-foot-5 and 338 pounds, which is something he puts to good use and the Carolina Panthers could do far worse than look in his direction late in Day 2.
Anybody expecting miracles from Banks in terms of production would be disappointed if they just throw him in at the deep end. However, what an NFL team will get is consistency, a model professional, and someone who is willing to work hard every day on getting better.