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.

Alfred Collins’ goal-line strip and a sturdy late stand by the 49ers’ defense propelled San Francisco to a 26-23 win at Los Angeles, validating a defense-first blueprint even with a dented offense. The play preserved a potential turn-point moment after a shaky red-zone sequence and three straight runs to bleed clock kept the Rams out of reach in regulation.

SF moved to 4-1 atop the NFC West, buoyed by rookie contributors on defense and the prospect of healthier weapons returning—Jennings, Pearsall, and Kittle—while injuries continue to test the depth. The win could quiet the draft-grading chatter and hint that the Niners’ playmakers, not the picks, will carry them forward for fantasy rosters in the coming weeks.

Apple elevated from the 49ers’ practice squad ahead of Week 4 versus Jacksonville, giving San Francisco veteran depth at cornerback behind Renardo Green, who is dealing with a neck issue and listed questionable. Green played 86% of snaps last week but was limited in practice. The WR group isn’t being boosted with an elevation, as Demarcus Robinson and Jauan Jennings are the primary targets with Pearsall likely to play if limited.

Keith the depth chart: Deommodore Lenoir, Darrell Luter Jr., Chase Lucas and Upton Stout provide cover in the secondary, while Pearsall, Jennings, Robinson, Skyy Moore and Marques Valdez-Scantling headline the Week 4 receiving corps. Levi’s Stadium hosts the 1:05 p.m. kickoff against the Jaguars.

SF’s Week 2 showcase in Las Vegas offered a sharper read on the 2025 roster hours ahead of Week 1 in Seattle. Purdy opened with a clean, efficient series, but the real spark came from Ricky Pearsall, who looked like a credible option at and beyond the top-three WR tier as the 49ers sort through Aiyuk, Jennings, and Robinson. Kicker Jake Moody recovered from a rocky first half to nail four attempts, including a 59-yarder in a pressure spot, sealing the tie after a late Raiders rally. Rookie Nick Martin piled up tackles and disruption, flashing the athleticism and instincts the 49ers hoped to unlock behind Dee Winters. San Francisco’s depth was on full display, with Carter Bradley directing the second unit and clearing a path for Purdy’s continued progression. The trio of Moody, Pearsall, and Martin provided a blueprint for fantasy managers: clean, high-leverage roles emerging from a crowded camp, while Purdy’s early connection with Pearsall hints at a deeper pass-game ceiling if health and trust solidify. Week 1 in Seattle is looming, and the 49ers sit a little taller, a little more dangerous, with standout depth ready to step in when called.

From a fantasy perspective, Pearsall’s early chemistry with Purdy should raise his Dynasty and best-ball profile as the WR depth chart remains fluid. Moody’s late-season-like clutch performance is a reminder that in-practice accuracy translates to game-action opportunity, albeit with the risk that SF’s kicking situation remains unsettled. Martin’s bounce-back performance underscores the value of edge and inside-linebacker depth on a defense known for rotating get-to-the-ball players. The game also underscored the value of a quarterback room that can survive a one-drive sampler and still leave the starter with ample prep time for Week 1. The blend of youth and veteran steadiness could push SF’s fantasy upside higher as the season approaches.