Jacoby Ford: Projecting Oakland Raiders WR's Week 5 Fantasy Status

One of the biggest question marks in fantasy football this week is the potential impact of Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford.

Ford, who has missed two games due to a hamstring injury, says that he's still not 100 percent healthy and has yet to get his burst back, which is easily his greatest asset aside from sure hands.

This fact should give his fantasy owners pause; however, what makes him still a worthwhile start is his matchup this week. The Texans secondary hasn't been very effective this season, lacking the kind of speed that can keep up with the fast Raiders receivers.

Instead, they've risen in the ranks against the aerial game via a fierce pass rush. This may be neutralized this week against the solid Raiders offensive line, giving Oakland's quick receiver corps a number of openings to make big plays.

Ford proved himself a major playmaker and fantasy football asset last season, but with the hamstring injury marring the beginning of this year, it's hard to determine his fantasy value going into today's game.

He's a risky play, but has tremendous upside. If he has a big game, you'll look like a genius for starting him, but the potential to be held back by that hamstring is certainly there. He's a starter in just six percent of Yahoo! leagues this week, reflecting that risk.

However, if you're weak at wide receiver or are just plain willing to buck the odds and try something different, I don't see Ford's risk being as high as it seems at first glance. For what it's worth, I have chosen to start him this week even though I have a better WR3 option—on paper—available to start.

Starting Ford appears to defy logic, and I will concede that I agree. But sometimes, taking a chance pays off. If you're looking to make an unorthodox roster decision this week, Ford's your man.