2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Aaron Banks





  • Aaron Banks, 6-5/338

  • Guard

  • Notre Dame


  • Aaron Banks Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Tough run blocker
  • Can knock defenders backward at the line
  • Physical
  • Strong
  • Sustains blocks
  • Heavy hands
  • Blocks with a nasty demeanor
  • Able to control defenders when he latches on them
  • Plays with good leverage as a run blocker
  • Strong lower body
  • Can anchor against bull rushes
  • Good length, height, weight for a right guard
  • Blocks through the whistle
  • Experienced




  • Weaknesses:
  • Has problems with speed rushers
  • Not a great fit for zone
  • Lumbers in space
  • A little stiffness in hips
  • Will bend at the waist at times


  • Summary: Notre Dame has been a factory for NFL offensive linemen in recent years, producing a number of early-round picks and some solid second-day talent. Banks broke into the starting lineup partway through his sophomore season and remained there over the next two years of his career. After starting for the past 2.5 seasons, Banks is pro-ready, and he could become a solid starter in the top half of his NFL rookie contract.

    Banks was a solid and reliable pass protector at Notre Dame. He has strong hands that rock defenders and often knock them off balance to slow them down. Those strong hands also help him to sustain blocks and prevent second efforts from being effective. With good size and strength, Banks can stop bull rushes. Speed rushes can give Banks some issues due to being somewhat tight athletically, and he will have to improve in that area for the NFL.



    Banks was a productive run blocker for Notre Dame, helping the team achieve a lot of success running behind him. He is powerful at the point of attack. With his thick build and upper body, Banks can drive block and get a push. He does have some issues with bending at the waist at times, and that can limit his push in the ground game. Along with that issue, Banks lumbers in space and is not a guard who is going to move well around the field. Thus, he is a better fit as a power-man blocker rather than for a zone-based scheme.

    Early in his NFL career, Banks could become a starting right guard, and he would be a good fit in a power-man-blocking scheme. He could play in a zone scheme, but his style of play is better suited to a man scheme. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Banks looks like a second-day prospect who is also a safe choice to turn into a solid NFL starter.



    Player Comparison: Gabe Jackson. In some ways, Banks reminds me of Jackson. They both are barrel-chested right guards who pack a punch in the ground game and can hold their own in pass protection. Jackson was third-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and Banks could go in the same range this year in the 2021 NFL Draft. I think Banks could be a guard similar to Jackson at the next level.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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