Rumors swirled this offseason that despite the loss of Michael Crabtree to a torn anterior cruciate ligament this offseason 2012 first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins, a wide receiver out of Georgia, was in danger of being cut from the team.
Jenkins did not wind up getting cut, but he's no longer a 49er. He's been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for their own problem child wide receiver Jon Baldwin, himself a former first-round draft bust.
Baldwin was expected to complement Dwayne Bowe as a second tall, downfield threat, but never could muster up the production that seems as if it should accompany a player who appears so physically gifted.
According to ESPN's Bill Williamson, new Chiefs coach Andy Reid quickly got fed up with Baldwin's frequent drops in practice and during the preseason. "We gave him the opportunity this week and you have to catch the football," Reid said. "That's how it works, and he knows that and I know that. When we give you an opportunity, you have to make sure you take advantage of the opportunity. ... He needs to keep playing, and [when] given the opportunity, he needs to take advantage of it."
In two NFL seasons Baldwin has 41 catches for 579 yards and two touchdowns in 26 total games. At six feet, four inches and 228 lbs. Baldwin is a far taller and more physical player than the speedy Jenkins. With Baldwin and Anquan Boldin lining up opposite one another, San Francisco figures to have one of the league's strongest receiving tandems. However, with Mario Manningham starting the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, it remains to see where the speed will come from in the 49ers passing game.
Jenkins must make the most of his new surroundings, or he could find himself out of the league. Luckily he has a familiar face throwing to him in KC-former 49ers starter Alex Smith.
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