The Bengals will lean into offensive-line upgrades as the trade deadline nears, mixing acquisitions of proven blockers with selective asset moves. Hendrickson isn’t viewed as a trade candidate due to his contract, while Amarius Mims and Dylan Fairchild continue to develop in a unit that has struggled in 2025. Cincinnati has shown it benefits from outside OL help, citing past adds like Orlando Brown Jr., Ted Karras, and Alex Cappa as proof the fastest path to improvement is through proven veterans rather than internal development alone.

With a broader rebuild on the horizon, the plan could tilt toward signing depth rather than wholescale selling, but the overarching goal remains protecting Burrow and stabilizing the line. If blowouts persist, expect a delicate balance of buying and selling to accelerate a post-season reset and set up a sharper offseason strategy focused on a stronger front five.

The 49ers’ Week 5 win over the Rams rode on a chaotic OT stop after a steady defensive push and a late, gritty performance by the squad’s supporting cast. Mykel Williams didn’t post a stat line but drew the eye with a game-changing edge step that opened the winning path for Warner, while Marques Sigle and Deommodore Lenoir held the back end together in a tense finish. Offensively, SF leaned on McCaffrey’s blocking and Purdy’s health narrative, with Mac Jones stepping in as a surprise producer in the quarterback shuffle. Trade chatter swirls around Hendrickson as the front office weighs a playoff push, and the team braces for Kittle’s potential absence while Malik Mustapha nears return. Fantasy takeaway: depth and health emerge as pivotal in a league where one big name can be out, one backup can step up, and defensive pressure can tilt outcomes in high-leverage moments.

Shanahan’s crew showed resilience, especially up front and in coverage, highlighting the IDP and streaming options for Week 6. Williams’ quiet stat line belies a fingerprints-on-the-game impact, while Sigle’s 13 tackles underscore the importance of safeties who can mix run support with coverage. The QB landscape remains fluid: Purdy’s health versus Jones’ hot run creates a dual-path for fantasy rosters, with Hendrickson potentially altering the defensive ceiling if a trade materializes. Monitor Kittle’s status, monitor Purdy’s health, and keep a pulse on the 49ers’ evolving depth chart as the schedule thickens.

Bengals sit 2-2 as Burrow’s turf-toe injury and Browning’s uneven play derail the start. A run-first approach may dominate until Burrow returns, shaping weekly fantasy expectations.

Defensively, Hendrickson is the lone reliable edge, while Jenkins, McKinnley Jackson, Ossai and Stewart haven’t produced consistent pressure. Free-agent additions Slaton, Hill and Pennel are average at best. With Taylor under pressure, Cincinnati needs immediate DL production to steady the ship.

Mac Jones shines as San Francisco’s emergency option, throwing for 342 yards and two touchdowns in a road win over the Rams as Purdy’s injury keeps him in flux. With the trade deadline looming, SF faces serious outside interest, and proposed deals reveal how the 49ers might balance depth, cost, and upside if they decide to move Jones. Cincinnati, New Orleans, and New York were tagged with potential offers—ranging from edge rusher heft to draft capital and interior depth—demonstrating a market that values Jones’ pocket-passer profile and contract through 2026.

Jones’ 2026 commitment makes him a valuable short- to mid-term asset, especially for offenses built on quick timing. The backdrop of Purdy’s health and SF’s need for reliable insurance could reshape quarterback markets, potentially turning Jones from emergency backup into a movable piece at the deadline. The chatter underscores a broader truth: depth at quarterback can swing a season, and Jones is squarely in the middle of that debate.

Dallas's offense has clicked, but the defense lags, especially the pass rush without Micah Parsons. A veteran edge could tilt the balance. Trey Hendrickson, 17.5 sacks last year, looks like the ideal deadline target if Cincinnati considers moving him with Burrow sidelined. A conditional second-round pick could seal it.

Dallas would retain two first-round picks, and Hendrickson's price would be palatable. Parsons could roam freer with the added pressure, and the defense would be steadier in big games. If Cincinnati falters, the Hendrickson deal becomes a realistic path to a late-season push.