NFL PLAYER NEWS

Jets add Ford to WR mix

The Sports Xchange

April 01, 2014 at 5:39 pm.

Jacoby Ford brings a lot of speed to the Jets. (Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE)

The New York Jets signed unrestricted free agent wide receiver and returner Jacoby Ford on Tuesday.

The Jets added Ford to a receiving corps that was bolstered last month with the signing of former Denver Broncos wideout Eric Decker. The speedy Ford is projected as a backup receiver who could become the Jets’ kickoff returner.

Last season for the Oakland Raiders, Ford caught 13 passes for 99 yards and returned nine punts for an 8.6-yard average. Since coming into the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft, Ford has 57 career receptions and four kick returns for touchdowns.

The 26-year-old Ford figures to provide the Jets with some added speed, having run a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the Scouting Combine in 2010. His most productive year in the NFL was as a rookie in 2010 when he had 25 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns and added two rushing scores.