Chiefs Trade Jon Baldwin to San Francisco for A.J. Jenkins
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
A.J. Jenkins(17) catches a pass during warmups before the game against the Denver Broncos at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
According to multiple sources, the Kansas City Chiefs have traded Jonathan Baldwin to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for A.J. Jenkins.
Filed to @USATODAYSports: Barring a last-minute snag in negotiations, the #49ers are going to trade A.J. Jenkins to the #Chiefs.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 19, 2013
It's official, the @KCChiefs have traded WR Jon Baldwin to the San Francisco 49ers for WR A.J. Jenkins, the team announced today.
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) August 19, 2013
Chiefs have traded Jon Baldwin to the 49ers for AJ Jenkins. Deal is done.
— Soren Petro (@SorenPetro) August 19, 2013
#Chiefs trade Jon Baldwin to 49ers for WR AJ Jenkins.
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) August 19, 2013
Baldwin, 24, was drafted 26th overall by the Chiefs in the 2011 draft. Since then he has totaled 41 receptions for 579 yards and two touchdowns. His inability to catch the ball on a consistent basis in the past and in this preseason has led some to wonder if the Chiefs should cut him.
Instead they have traded him to the 49ers for A.J. Jenkins, who was the 30th overall pick in the 2012 draft.
Jenkins appeared in just three games last season and did not make a reception. He was, however, a very productive receiver while at Illinois. In his senior year he caught 90 passes for 1,276 yards and eight touchdowns. He had a career 14.6 yards per catch average and 19 career touchdown receptions.
At six feet even, Jenkins is not as big of a target as Baldwin is but Jenkins does possess great speed, running a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2012.
Here is what was said about Jenkins at the time he was drafted.
"Jenkins is quick off the ball and gets to top speed quickly. If he gets a free release, he can be tough for corners to stay with initially. He has ability to separate when necessary and is very fluid throughout his routes. His body is strikingly under control throughout, and he has good balance if corners try to push into his hips in-phase. Jenkins is willing to go across the middle and always reaches out to pluck the ball. He is effective both long and deep but is less of a threat after the catch as he is running his routes."
"BEST PICK Wide receiver A.J. Jenkins: Their best pick may be their first. While the team is stacked with receivers, Jenkins is the only one, other than former first-round choice Michael Crabtree, who could be a future No. 1 receiver. So far, Crabtree has been a disappointment as the receiving bell cow and his disappearance in the playoffs did not help him. Jenkins appears to be what Crabtree is not and that’s a gym rat who will make time to put in extra work with quarterback Alex Smith."
"He has the speed to get downfield. Jenkins is a good value in the mid-rounds and had an impressive week at the East-West Shrine. He showed his foot speed with a great Combine and followed that up with a strong pro day.In the NFL, Jenkins looks like he could be a good slot receiver and make some big plays downfield. He also has the size to line up on the outside. Jenkins could turn into a steal given that he produced despite bad quarterback play."