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Fantasy Football: Week 13 free agent add/drops

By Alex Butler
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick raises his fist after scoring the game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 13, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI
1 of 3 | San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick raises his fist after scoring the game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter of the 49ers-Arizona Cardinals game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, November 13, 2016. Photo by Art Foxall/UPI | License Photo

MIAMI, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Behold: the final week of the fantasy football regular season is upon us, at least for some leagues.

While several fantasy team owners have their playoff spots locked up, many owners are still fighting for a top seed or to scrape up the final spots in the postseason.

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Unfortunately, some owners will be without the services of players like DeMarco Murray, Terrelle Pryor, and Marcus Mariota this week because of the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans serving byes. If you are lucky enough to be facing a team in that scenario, go scoop up some of their alternate options from the waiver wire. If you are one of those teams, or a team in need of a little edge for the final playoff push, take a look at my top players to add and top players to drop for Week 13.

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ALL-ADD TEAM

QB | Colin Kaepernick; RB | Dion Lewis, Tim Hightower; WR | Taylor Gabriel, Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill, Dorial Green-Beckham; TE | Vernon Davis, Ladarius Green; D/ST | Green Bay Packers; K | Matt Bryant

HONORABLE MENTIONS

QB | Trevor Siemian; RB | DeAngelo Williams, Ameer Abdullah; WR | Marquess Wilson, Marqise Lee, Anquan Boldin; TE | Jermaine Gresham; D/ST | San Francisco 49ers

TOP DROPS

QB | Blake Bortles, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer; RB | James White, Ryan Mathews, Chris Ivory; WR | Victor Cruz, DeAndre Hopkins; TE | Julius Thomas, Gary Barnidge


QUARTERBACK

Why haven't you picked up Colin Kaepernick?

The San Francisco 49ers quarterback has been one of the best at his position for the last few weeks in fantasy football, while looking awful on the field. Despite the performances, he is owned in just 22 percent of ESPN leagues, 25 percent of Yahoo leagues, and 40 percent of CBS leagues. Kaepernick's rushing ability makes him a top-12 option and QB1 for the rest of the season. He has been my top quarterback to add for multiple weeks. If you haven't taken advantage of his prior availability, you might be too late. He is a worthwhile add, even just for depth purposes or to keep from quarterback-needy opponents. Kaepernick has accounted for multiple touchdowns in four consecutive contests. His Week 12 performance against the Miami Dolphins was his best yet. On Sunday, Kaepernick passed for 296 yards and three scores while rushing for 113 yards on 10 carries. He nearly added a rushing score on the game's final play. He gets the Chicago Bears in Week 13, the New York Jets in Week 14, and a very beatable Atlanta Falcons secondary in Week 15.

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Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian is heating up at just the right time. Last week against the Chiefs, Siemian passed for 368 yards and three scores, giving him his third multiple-touchdown game in as many weeks. His upcoming slate includes matchups against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, and New England Patriots.

RUNNING BACK

Dion Lewis is starting to see a revved up workload for the Patriots. After seeing eight touches for 49 yards in his Week 11 debut, Lewis turned 10 touches into 58 yards last week against the pesky Jets defense. I expect his role to only improve in the offense, as James White sees a reduction in his workload.

As the regular season comes to an end, it's a great time to add some handcuff insurance for the playoffs. Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams has been sidelined since Week 10, but is nearing a return from a knee injury. He could pay off in a big way during the playoffs if you own Le'Veon Bell. You should also look to add him to keep him away from the Bell owner if you have the space on your roster.

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WIDE RECEIVER

Taylor Gabriel is absolutely on fire and not getting enough love. The Atlanta Falcons playmaker has five touchdowns in his last four games, including a two-score effort in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals. Gabriel has earned flex consideration with his offensive outbursts. He is definitely worth an add and could put you over the edge heading into the postseason. The Falcons face the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers in the next three weeks.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has always had the potential, but now he might have the opportunity. If Jordan Matthews misses any time with an ankle injury, Green-Beckham will see a significant bump in targets from Carson Wentz. In his last two performances, Green-Beckham has 11 grabs for 136 yards and a score. I like him again in Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals and also in Week 14 against the Washington Redskins, if Matthews is out. He could move into WR3 territory this weekend.

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TIGHT END

Vernon Davis is another player who should make the best out of his current circumstances. With Jordan Reed ailing for the Washington Redskins, I expect Davis to see a ton of looks from Kirk Cousins. The Redskins feature the tight end more than any NFL team. Davis has at least 50 receiving yards in five of his last six games. He had five receptions for 68 yards in the Redskins' Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

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