It wasn’t DeSean Jackson, but the Jets added some speed to their receiving corps and return units Tuesday by signing oft-injured former Raider Jacoby Ford to a one-year deal.
Ford, an accomplished sprinter who is one of the fastest players in the NFL, had visited the team in free agency this week along with ex-Dolphins cornerback Dimitri Patterson and former Chargers guard Rich Ohrnberger.
Ford, 26, was a fourth-round pick by the Raiders in 2010 out of Clemson. His career receiving totals are modest — 57 catches for 848 yards and three touchdowns in 38 games — but Ford returned four kickoffs for scores in his first two seasons with Oakland and has a career 25-yard average in that department.
Ford was barely a factor for the Raiders on offense last year, catching just nine passes for 77 yards in 14 games, but he provides much-needed depth and competition at receiver for the Jets.
Ford is the second receiver Gang Green has signed this offseason after they gave former Bronco Eric Decker a five-year, $36.25 million deal last month.