It is certainly hard to believe that the NFL has reached week thirteen and fantasy right along with it. Yet, here we are, just one week before the fantasy playoffs begin. There are surely plenty of managers that can use all the help they can get to make that final push for a playoff spot. And, as always, we here at Belly Up Sports are here to help make that a reality! Let’s dive right in and take a look at the players to add on this waiver pickups week thirteen edition. As a reminder, most fantasy platforms are pushing back the waiver period due to the delay in the Pitt-Balt game. Make sure to check your particular situation.

Running Backs

The running back position on the waiver wire is pretty dry at this point in the season. Owners may have to search far and wide to find a worthy pickup. For those in need, don’t hesitate to make a move or the moment will be gone.

Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens, 40% owned

Obviously, the results of the game between the Ravens and Steelers will not be available before this sees the light of day. However, if Gus Edwards is able to play well for the second time against Pittsburgh, he moves to the top of the list. Edwards rushed 16 times for 87 yards and a touchdown in week eight. Anything similar to that Tuesday and Edwards is gold.

That’s especially true if his backfield mates are forced to miss any more time. That appears unlikely, but whatever the case is with his teammates, the Cowboys are on deck for Baltimore. Anyone who watched Antonio Gibson run over Dallas on Thanksgiving knows they can’t handle the running game. If Edwards looks solid against the Steelers and is available, get him. No further debate is necessary.

Frank Gore, New York Jets, 18.8% owned

There is nothing like a veteran like Frank Gore, even if he plays for a train wreck of a team like the Jets. New York can’t or won’t win a game, but that didn’t stop Gore from putting up some solid stats against Miami. Gore had 21 touches Sunday, rushing 18 times for 74 yards and catching all three targets for another 12 yards.

The Jets seemed destined to turn the rushing duties to La’Mical Perine. However, the youngster is on IR with an ankle injury. Even on as sorry a team as the Jets, a lead running back demands fantasy attention. Especially when the next team on the schedule is the Raiders, who just got steamrolled by Atlanta. As if that wasn’t enough, the Seahawks are after Las Vegas. Two dates with sorry defenses should be enough to peak the interest of any fantasy owner.

Other recommendations– It seems impossible that Latavius Murray is available in any league. However, his ownership hovers around 50 percent. If available and with the Falcons up next, he’s certainly worth a look.

Just like Murray, James White scored two TDs Sunday. Also like Murray, White is around 50 percent owned. If he’s on the wire, he would make a nice addition.

For the truly desperate, the Lion’s Kerryon Johnson and Adrian Peterson are much more available than either Murray or White. Both had good games against Houston. Even so, the two only have value if D’Andre Swift is still out with his concussion.

Wide Receivers

Unlike running backs, there are some wide receivers available on the waiver wire that are attention worthy. As with every other position, get to the head of the line for best selection.

Nelson Agholor, Las Vegas Raiders, 16.5% owned

There’s nothing about Sunday’s game to suggest that Nelson Agholor should receive a recommendation. Look underneath, however, and the reason becomes clear. Agholor caught five of six targets for 54 yards against Atlanta. That’s not why fantasy owners should look his way, though.

He has six TDs in his eleven games, which shows Agholor can find the end zone. In his last two games, he has 15 combined targets, his high for the season. Best of all, the Jets and their no-show defense are the Raiders’ next opponent. That alone is reason enough for Agholor to lead off the WR portion of this waiver pickups week thirteen edition.

T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts, 40% owned

T.Y. Hilton is one of those veteran players that have almost vanished this season. He reappeared Sunday in a big way, however, and he needs to be considered again for fantasy purposes. The Colts lost the game big, but that wasn’t Hilton’s fault. He caught four of five targets for 81 yards and his first touchdown of the season. After a two catch vanishing act against Detroit in week eight, Hilton has come on lately.

Hilton has 15 targets in his last three games and it looks like he can be ramping up to match his week five performance against Cleveland. In that game, Hilton caught six of ten targets for 69 yards. Next on the schedule is the Houston Texans. Their defense is anything but solid, setting up Hilton for some major production. After that is the Raiders. If Hilton is available, jump hard and fast as that won’t last long.

Collin Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars, 0.1% owned

If the other receivers featured here are unavailable, Collin Johnson certainly is. Johnson stepped up big after injuries brought down his fellow wide outs Chris Conley and DJ Chark. Seeing the first heavy action of his career, Johnson caught four of his eight targets for 96 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland. The targets were more than he had in his previous three games and the yards and catches were season highs.

It is unknown when his teammates will return, or for that matter, who the quarterback will be. What is known is that Jacksonville’s next game is against the defense poor Minnesota Vikings. That reason alone is enough to recommend Johnson on this fantasy football waiver pickups week thirteen edition.

Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers, 28.4% owned

Those owners tired of trotting out MVS on a regular basis can relax now because Allen Lazard is back. After missing six games and catching just two passes the previous week against Indy, Lazard demonstrated why he gets everyone in the real world and fantasy excited. Lazard was targeted six times, resulting in four catches and his third touchdown of the season.

The yards weren’t there (24), but Lazard showed what he is capable of when he caught six passes for 146 yards and a touchdown against New Orleans in week three. The Saints, it must be pointed out, has an excellent defense. Philadelphia, coming off a Monday night game against Seattle, is not in the same class. Davante Adams will always draw the majority of attention against any defense and that should give Lazard room to roam. Lazard, if available, is the priority add out of the wide receiver position this week.

Other Recommendation- For those not feeling Agholor above, check out his fellow receiver Hunter Renfrow. He caught seven passes for 73 yards Sunday, his most catches of the season. Renfrow only has two TDs on the year, though, and that is why Agholor gets the higher recommendation.

Tight Ends

As has been the case in recent weeks, there just aren’t a lot of worthy players on the tight end waiver wire. Some veterans have been found in the nick of time to ensure the wire isn’t a complete graveyard. Make a selection and then hang on tight!

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers, 41% owned

This has been an up and down season for Robert Tonyan, just like every other tight end not named Kelce. However, the last two games have been vintage Tonyan. He has been targeted ten times and caught all ten. Tonyan has scored a touchdown in each game. Against the bruising Chicago D, Tonyan pilled up 67 yards, averaging an outstanding for a tight end 13.40 yards per catch.

Tonyan now has seven touchdowns on the season. The Green Bay passing game is clicking on all cylinders, which isn’t surprising with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. With the Eagles up next, expect a performance out of Tonyan that would match his five catch, 79 yard effort in week eight against Minnesota. As dry as the vine is for tight ends right now, that will definitely get it done on most any fantasy roster. Tonyan is the must add tight end on this waiver pickups week thirteen edition.

Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team, 28.4% owned

Logan Thomas was recommended last week, but still is widely available. Coming off his Thanksgiving Day performance against the Cowboys, that is going to change. Thomas did it all for Washington versus Dallas, catching all four targets for 20 yards and he had a three yard rush. However, it was his 28 yard pass completion that got everyone’s attention. Thomas has been about as consistent as any tight end out there.

To demonstrate that, notice Thomas has been targeted 20 times in the last four games, resulting in 13 catches for 120 yards. Thomas also has four touchdowns on the season. Washington’s next game is against the Steelers, which isn’t an ideal matchup, obviously. However, with a shortage of usable tight ends on the horizon, Thomas may be the only option out there.

Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota Vikings, 13.6% owned

Kyle Rudolph is another of those veterans that vanished from the planet to have his location locked in this past Sunday. Rudolph caught seven of eight targets for 68 yards against the Panthers on Sunday. All of those totals were season highs. For the year, Rudolph is averaging an excellent 11.9 YPC, which eclipses his career average. What is really holding him back is that he hasn’t scored a TD since week three.

That could change this week, however, as Jacksonville comes to town. The Jags are a shell of their former defensive selves and the entire Vikings offense could be in for an explosion. As is well known, there just aren’t many useful tight ends on the wire. If the need exists and the above players are off the board, Rudolph can give a team a lift, at least for one game.

Quarterbacks

Quality quarterbacks, surprisingly enough, remain on most league’s wire looking for a fantasy home. Hopefully, QB is not a need for teams as the playoffs loom large, but if it is, we can help! Take a look below and happy hunting!

Alex Smith, Washington Football Team, 10.4% owned

Alex Smith has now been featured in these waiver editions for for three straight weeks. That will continue to be the case until fantasy owners take Smith seriously. That may be tough to do this week with the Steelers looming. However, Pittsburgh will have not have nearly the time to prepare as they would have and may not bring their A game. In any case, Smith has shown he can command a team again after starting the last three games.

Against Dallas on Thanksgiving, Smith completed 19 of 26 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Granted, those totals are the lowest Smith has produced in his last four appearances. However, Smith did throw for 325 yards against the Giants and Washington has won its last two games. The team has confidence in Smith, which they didn’t have in their quarterbacks earlier in the year. No question, Smith is a big swing against Pittsburgh, but if he could pay off for someone willing to take a gamble.

Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers, 30.8% owned

After missing action due to injury, Teddy Bridgewater returned to the Panther’s huddle against the Vikings. Bridgewater turned in a solid performance in the loss, completing 19 of 36 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown. It continued the excellent play that Bridgewater has provided the Panthers this season, despite missing week eleven.

Bridgewater has thrown eight TDs in his last five games. He has only had two games this season without a touchdown pass. He does need to reign in the interceptions, as he has eight on the season. Bridgewater should be able to get that under control against a Broncos team that was just steamrolled by the Saints. If CMC returns, the Panthers will have a excellent offense. If needed, Bridgewater can bring it home.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, 20.4% owned

It seems that whenever Kirk Cousins gets a shout out in these editions, it does not go well the next week. The time has come to stop being hesitant with him, however. Cousins threw for three TDs against the Panthers while also passing for 307 yards. It is the third time in the last four games that Cousins has thrown for three touchdowns. In the other game, he had two. That’s 11 TDs total.

In addition, Cousins has just one interception in his last five games. No question, Cousins is hot and there is every expectation for that to continue against Jacksonville. The Jaguars have allowed at least 27 points in 10 of their 11 games this season. Whenever this many potential points are sitting on the waiver wire, pay attention and place him at the front of the line if the need exists.

It was assumed that after the Atlanta game, Derek Carr would see his name appear here. No worries, as there will be no recommendation here after that 20 car pileup of a performance he turned in Sunday. He does play the Jets and an owner might be willing to take a chance. If so, peace be with you and remember, buyer beware.

Thanks all for joining me for this fantasy football waiver pickups week thirteen edition. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion on the players that should be added to or removed from the list. I always welcome input. Have a great fantasy football week thirteen! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!