The Kansas City Chiefs selected Pittsburgh receiver with high hopes in the 2011 NFL Draft. They probably felt pretty lucky to get him with the 26th pick of the first round. At 6'4" and 230 lbs, Baldwin has unique size and speed. Talent-wise, he's a top-10 pick. The Chiefs have added some real nice offensive playmakers in recent years. Jamaal Charles, Tony Moeaki, Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster. Playing Baldwin opposite Bowe, the Chiefs passing game was ready to soar. At least that was how the thinking in Kansas City went. Baldwin fell to the Chiefs in the draft mostly due to maturity issues. For some reason, many receivers have their priorities leaning far toward the self. No offensive skill position has a greater dependence on his teammates than receiver. You'd think that they would be much less selfish and have a better appreciation of those around them. Baldwin hasn't come close to the expectations that the Chiefs had for him. It's pretty safe to say that the Chiefs, as a team, have fallen short of expectations. An unbelievable string of injuries played a significant role but the lack of wins ultimately led to an overhaul of the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff and front office. The new Chiefs had no ties to Baldwin so they sent him on his way.
The San Francisco 49ers were a couple of plays from the Super Bowl in 2011. They had become one of the elite teams in the league and had few holes heading into the 2012 NFL Draft. Receiver was one position that could use a boost. They were still strong enough to gamble on a receiver that had potential. The 49ers selected Illinois receiver A.J. Jenkins with the 30th pick of the first round. He had nice speed and big play ability. Alshon Jeffery, T.Y. Hilton, and Rueben Randle might have been more ready for the pro game but Jenkins had the opportunity to learn behind Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, and Mario Manningham. Anything that Jenkins could provide as a rookie would be appreciated. Instead of providing even a little, Jenkins provided absolutely nothing. The 49ers basically filed his rookie season away as a redshirt season, a rookie season 1A. A learning experience? Hopefully. They really had no choice. Rookie season 1B started with an offseason that showed little improvement. Training camp did little to sway the 49ers growing frustration with A.J. Jenkins.
The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs swapped disappointing first round receivers. Jonathan Baldwin is now a 49er. Jenkins is a Chief. This is an interesting trade. Maybe a change of residence will be enough to bring out the best in the talented players. Based solely on natural talent, I give the 49ers a huge win in this trade. At least Baldwin has done something in the NFL. In two seasons, he has 41 catches for 579 yards and two touchdowns. Jenkins doesn't even have a catch. Baldwin is a game-changing talent. While visiting the Chiefs training camp, NFL correspondent Ian Rapoport said that Baldwin was the best football player on the field. If this trade is the slap that triggers something in the receiver, the 49ers could have a dangerous receiving duo in Crabtree and Baldwin moving forward. I certainly have more faith in Baldwin turning things around than I do with Jenkins. No matter what happens with the two disappointing, so far, receivers, this is a trade that has no losers. Both teams lost when they selected the two players in the draft. Both teams have already said bye-bye to those mistakes. Now, they have something new.
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