Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Knowshon Moreno and Top Week 13 Pickups

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Well folks, we're almost there, as Week 13 brings with it the end of the line in many football seasons.

That also means that while some teams have already punched their tickets for the postseason, other squads are scrambling to join them, and for those teams, this week's waiver-wire pass is the most important of the season.

So, as you buckle in for the game you gotta win, here's a look at this week's fantasy waiver pickups you gotta have.

Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

It's something of a rarity in the National Football League to see a playoff contender switch quarterbacks midseason, but that's what has happened in San Francisco.

A concussion suffered by veteran Alex Smith forced second-year pro Colin Kaepernick into action, and after two wins and two solid performances, it doesn't appear that Kaepernick is going to be giving the job back.

Granted, the San Francisco offense stymies Kapernick's fantasy upside a bit, but as he showed with a touchdown on the ground against the New Orleans Saints, the youngster can also hurt teams with his legs, which is always a huge plus in fantasy quarterbacks.

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

The general consensus among fantasy pundits after Willis McGahee suffered a season-ending knee injury was that rookie Ronnie Hillman would take on the role of lead back in the Denver Broncos backfield.

Well, the consensus was wrong.

Rather than Hillman, who barely touched the ball in Sunday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, it was Knowshon Moreno who carried the load in the Denver ground game after being inactive for much of the year.

The former first-round pick gained 111 total yards on 24 touches in Week 12, and so long as the fourth-year pro is getting 20 touches a game, he's absolutely worth a roster spot.

Michael Bush, RB, Chicago Bears

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Week 12's most significant injury from a fantasy perspective occurred in the Windy City, where all was not well in the Chicago Bears' big win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Star running back Matt Forte was forced from the game with an ankle injury, and while it appears that Forte has dodged the dreaded high ankle sprain, the fifth-year pro's availability for this week's matchup with the Seattle Seahawks is very much in question.

That would press Michael Bush into action as the lead dog for Da Bears, and as Bush showed last week in scoring a pair of touchdowns, the fifth-year veteran is more than capable of posting solid fantasy production.

Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins

Rob Carr/Getty Images

You know, as much as we talk about losing players due to injuries, it's good to occasionally celebrate the return of one to action, and that's what we get to do with Washington Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garcon this week.

In his most extensive action since injuring his foot in Week 1, Garcon put up five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown last week against the Dallas Cowboys, and with a favorable matchup on tap with the Philadelphia Eagles, it's time to snag Garcon if possible.

Ryan Broyles, WR, Detroit Lions

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

It never fails.

Every season, the wide receiver spot is the most tumultuous in fantasy football, as a handful of studs are joined by an ever-changing cast of weekly starters, rising stars, fading duds and fantasy gems that come out of nowhere.

There's one of that latter group to be found in the Motor City this week. With Nate Burleson out for the year and Titus Young in the coaching staff's doghouse, rookie Ryan Broyles has been thrust into a more prominent role.

Broyles responded on Thanksgiving with six grabs for 126 yards against the Texans, and with another tasty matchup upcoming with the Indianapolis Colts, there's little reason to think Broyles can't make it two big outings in a row.