Kendrick Bourne steps into the focal point for San Francisco as injuries thin the Niners’ pass catchers, delivering a Week 5 breakout and a clear Week 6 target floor. Sean Tucker slides into TB’s RB2 role behind White with Bucky Irving out, while Tutu Atwell earns Stafford’s trust and offers flex upside. Bryce Young is a Week 6 streamer vs Dallas, with other strong streaming options at D/ST and kicker, plus a robust stash list behind Purdy.

The waiver stash includes Mac Jones and Dillon Gabriel as QB bets if Purdy misses more time, Cam Akers and Jaydon Blue in the backfield, and Demarcus Robinson, Isiah Bond, and Jake Tonges as deeper Niners options. Texans and Vikings enter Week 6 on byes, shaping rosters for the short week and long grind ahead.

Week 5 FLEX rankings crown the top anchors—McCaffrey, Gibbs, Nacua, Achane and Taylor—while highlighting deeper value plays amid injuries and week-to-week shuffles. The guide emphasizes adjusting for Thursday-night risk and late-week updates, using head-to-head matchups and scoring format to surface flex plays. The Who Should I Start tool helps compare up to four players to surface the optimal Week 5 flex call, with updates pushed to your phone as news flows.

Cooper Kupp's fantasy value has cooled in Seattle as age and a long injury history limit upside. Week 5 looks dicey, pushing many managers toward benching or dropping him in shallower leagues.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba has surged as Seattle's top fantasy option, while Isaiah Bond in Cleveland is emerging as a viable late‑season target if Cedric Tillman remains sidelined. Houston's Stroud connection with Christian Kirk also hints at improved ancillary value in the Texans' passing attack.

Waiver priorities center on Bond and Kirk, with Dillon Gabriel and other Browns receivers in the mix. Use the Who Should I Pick Up tool to compare options and optimize Week 5 lineups and rest‑of‑season upside.