Fantasy Football: The Top 10 Free Agents Heading into Week 13

The following countdown touts the top 10 waiver-wire pickups heading into Week 13 (standard-scoring rules/12-team leagues).

Obviously, free-agent quarterbacks like Colin Kaepernick, Chad Henne, Jake Locker, Sam Bradford and Kevin Kolb (hopefully back from injury) are the likeliest candidates for most points from Sunday to Sunday.

But I would also place an equal or higher priority on landing possible dynamos at receiver, running back and tight end ahead of a quarterback who might not draw another start from this point forward.

For a full listing of the week's top 30 free agents, click here.

10. RB Marcel Reece, Oakland Raiders

2012 Stats: 672 Total Yards (447 Rushing), 1 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. As the Raiders' primary back, Marcel Reece has notched 100 total yards or one touchdown in four straight games.

2. A stealth play in points-per-reception leagues, Reece has the weekly capacity for 70 receiving yards.

3. Reece remains a good bet for sizable numbers against the Browns, while Darren McFadden (returning from ankle injury) finds his proverbial sea legs.

9. WR Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins

2012 Stats: 16 Catches, 251 Yards, 2 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. Pierre Garcon caught five balls for 93 yards and one touchdown against the Cowboys last week (Thanksgiving Day). He also drew seven targets.

2. A streaky asset, Garcon collected double-digit targets six times last year (with the Colts) and three outings of multiple touchdowns.

3. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III has passed for eight touchdowns in his last two games (four apiece).

4. When healthy, Garcon should be Washington's No. 1 receiver. As a result, he's a viable starting consideration in 12-team leagues (RB2 or flex).

8. RB Jonathan Dwyer, Pittsburgh Steelers

2012 Stats: 500 Total Yards (429 Rushing)


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. The Steelers' tilt-a-whirl at running back has reportedly spun back around to Jonathan Dwyer, with Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall lagging behind on the depth chart.

2. For Weeks 6 and 7, Dwyer posted back-to-back outings of 100 rushing yards (229 total).

3. Regardless of who starts at quarterback on Sunday (Charlie Batch, Brian Hoyer, Ben Roethlisberger), the Steelers would be wise to ride Dwyer against the Ravens—the NFL's 26th-ranked rush defense.

7. WR Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars

2012 Stats: 36 Catches, 747 Yards, 6 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. In standard-scoring leagues, Cecil Shorts ranks as the season's No. 17 fantasy wideout.

2. In two of his last three games, Shorts has racked up 105 receiving yards.

3. Shorts has also scored a touchdown in three straight outings.

4. Since Week 7, spanning six games, Shorts boasts healthy averages of 4.7 catches, 8.7 targets, 90.3 yards and 0.7 touchdowns.

6. QB Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars

2012 Stats: 830 Yards Passing, 7 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. Despite only one start (five appearances), Chad Henne has already eclipsed last season's touchdown tally (five).

2. In his last two games, Henne has amassed 615 yards passing and six touchdowns.

3. Within that span, receivers Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts posted 100-yard outings.

4. Henne is a viable candidate for 300 yards and two touchdowns every Sunday—a statement that doesn't necessarily fit second-year QB Blaine Gabbert.

5. RB Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

2012 Stats: 148 Total Yards (124 Rushing), 2 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. After an eight-week injury absence, Beanie Wells rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams last Sunday.

2. When healthy, Wells is the Cardinals' best rushing option around the goal line.

3. Even with LaRod Stephens-Howling in the mix, Wells has the weekly capacity for 100 yards and one TD.

4. RB Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos

2012 Stats: 138 Total Yards (100 Rushing), 1 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. Knowshon Moreno racked up 109 total yards (85 rushing) against the Chiefs last week—his first start of the season.

2. With Willis McGahee done for the year, the Broncos may spotlight Moreno for the final five weeks.

3. For the 2009-10 seasons, Moreno amassed 2,311 total yards and 17 touchdowns.

4. Some might view this declaration as the lesser of two evils, but Moreno is likely a better blocking back than rookie Ronnie Hillman.

Bottom line: In Denver's high-octane offense (led by Peyton Manning), this is a major prerequisite for the starting slot.

3. QB Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers

2012 Stats: 680 Yards Passing, 7 TD (4 Rushing)


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. In two games as San Francisco's starter (Weeks 11 and 12), Colin Kaepernick averaged 257 total yards and two touchdowns.

2. The Rams (Kaepernick's Week 13 opponent) have surrendered 300-plus passing yards three times in the last six weeks.

3. Kaepernick has unlimited upside for the next few years, which significantly raises his value in keeper leagues.

2. RB Bryce Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

2012 Stats: 338 Total Yards (319 Rushing), 2 TD


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. On Monday, Bryce Brown pounded the Panthers for 189 total yards (178 rushing) and two touchdowns while collecting the most fantasy points of any tailback in Week 12 (standard-scoring leagues).

2. A superb power-speed asset, Brown has the capacity for 140 yards and one TD whenever given substantial touches. For Week 13, he's a top-15 pick among his positional brethren.

3. Even with LeSean McCoy in the lineup, Brown could see an expanded role in the Eagles offense.

4. Looking ahead to 2013, the McCoy-Brown tandem could be a top-three fantasy backfield.

1. WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

2012 Stats: 33 Catches, 488 Yards, 6 TD (1 Punt Return)


Fantasy Reasons To Believe

1. In the last four weeks, T.Y. Hilton has posted two 100-yard outings.

2. Within that span, Hilton also notched a touchdown in three games (five total).

3. Since Week 3, the rookie Hilton has collected six-plus targets five times.

4. Check this out: To date, Hilton has more touchdowns (six) and 100-yard outings (three) than Marvin Harrison (1996) and Reggie Wayne (2001) had combined for in their respective rookie campaigns—after 10 games.

5. By extension, Hilton (two TDs last week) should be a flex consideration in 12-team leagues for Weeks 13-16 (Detroit, Tennessee, Houston, Kansas City).