Jacoby Ford: Fantasy Football 2011 Sleeper

Sleepers are always a hot topic in the fantasy football world and everyone is beginning to speculate that next great potential sleeper in 2011.

Like Jared Cook's sleeper potential.

Sleepers are a funny beast, both in how a manager defines them, and the criteria that makes them up, which sometimes can be debatable.

Basically, if the guy has already played, showed flashes of brilliance and could see more time this year…he could in fact be a sleeper.

Minus a few other aspects, but you get the gist of it.

Today I want to take a sneak peak at Oakland Raiders receiver Jacoby Ford

Last year, Ford was a short-term waiver wire score for managers looking to patch some holes in their lineup.

All things considered, Ford did an admirable job, catching 25 balls for 470 yards and two touchdowns while adding 10 carries for 155 yards and two scores. He also returned 53 kicks for 1,280 yards and three scores.

But it is the news coming from Raiders head Coach Hue Jackson that should have everyone keeping an eye on Ford.

In an interview on NFL Total Access, Jackson confirmed that he plans on having Ford more involved in the offense this year:

Ford is a small speedy receiver who has shown he is capable of doing greater things, and with more playing time, one has to imagine he will only build upon his 2010 totals.

Remember, this guy did have two 100+ yard games as a receiver (6/148/0 vs. Kansas City and 4/108/1 vs. Miami) and he only played as a starting WR for 10 games last year.

Obviously Ford is a guy you want to watch intently as the summer months continue, and as for now, consider him a huge WR4 sleeper in your upcoming 2011 Fantasy Football Draft.

From sleepers to rankings, come check out my early 2011 WR Rankings.