Two 4-1 teams, both led by former high draft picks that had tremendous but short-lived success with their original teams and have found success with different franchises. 

That’s the lead up for the San Francisco 49ers Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one expected to produce plenty of points. Let’s take a look at some offensive players that could play a large role in putting lighting up the scoreboard.  

With injuries that have befallen the 49ers, Bourne was the next man up last week. And in a game in which he had his best opportunity to produce in years, Bourne took it and ran (literally).

By recording 10 catches and a career-high 142 yards in Week 5, Bourne and Mac Jones showcased the chemistry that led both to career years in 2021 for the New England Patriots. Bourne set a career high with 800 yards that season, while Jones threw for 3,800 yards and 22 touchdowns, the only campaign in which he hit those milestones. 

With Bourne once again expected to be the main target due to injuries in the wide receiver room and Jones the planned starter with Brock Purdy out once again, expect them to pick up where they left off in Week 6. 

The Bucs don’t have a strong pass rush, but they do have one interior defensive lineman that has caused havoc for opposing quarterbacks. That would be Vita Vea who, while somewhat underwhelming with an overall 61.7 grade, has the No. 13 highest pass rushing grade for his position at 77.0.

Enter Brendel, the key stone of the offensive line that will be tasked with stifling Vea. He’s been up and down in pass protection, with pass blocking grades that range from 33.6 in Week 5 to 75.4 in Week 1. 

But, despite giving up seven pressures and three hits, he’s yet to give up a sack. Which Brendel the 49ers get against Tampa will play a large role in how successful their Week 6 will be.

With Mike Evans expected to miss his third straight game and Chris Godwin ruled out as well, Shepard is primed to be the wide receiver most often lined up with Emeka Egbuka in two or more wide receiver sets. 

It could be easy for fans to overlook Shepard as nothing more than an undynamic roster filler, but don’t be surprised if he plays a large role with both Godwin and Evans out, but don’t dismiss him so soon.

The tenth year vet isn’t what he was during his halcyon days with the New York Giants, but his connection with Baker Mayfield from their college days at Oklahoma has proven effective to provide a high floor. He’s already had a game with 80 yards this year and has had at least four targets in each contest, providing a high floor for the coaching staff if nothing else.  

It’s easy to overlook White, as he was overtaken by a rookie Bucky Irving last season. But with Irving out, he showed that he can be an effective finisher.

His 14 carries for 41 yards and 2.9 yards per catch are hardly headturning but keep in mind two things: the Bucs have the third lowest collective run blocking grade at 49.7, and Irving had two touchdowns in Week 5, one of which came on back to back carries from the one yard line.

These stats show that Irving is a trusted short yardage threat, an important tool for an offense to finish drives, and that the Tampa Bay running backs have had very little help this year. 

If the Bucs can take advantage of a middling 49ers' run defense that has the No. 19 best run defense grade, stoppable force that is their run blocking could take advantage of a very movable object and allow White to add an unexpected facet to an already potent Bucs offense.