49ers trade A.J. Jenkins to Chiefs for Jonathan Baldwin

[Playoffs]

49ers trade A.J. Jenkins to Chiefs for Jonathan Baldwin

The Chiefs announced Monday the acquisition of Jenkins from the 49ers in exchange for similarly disappointing wide receiver Jon Baldwin. This is a rare one-for-one NFL talent swap of players who failed to live up to expectations.

It's amazing how far Jenkins fell in San Francisco since being drafted in 2012. There were open questions about whether or not Jenkins would even make the 53-man roster. Chad Hall, among others, ran ahead of Jenkins in practice during training camp.

Seeing the Chiefs give up on Baldwin is even more surprising. The third-year pro was a first-round pick in 2011 by previous general manager Scott Pioli. Unlike Jenkins, Baldwin at least produced something at the pro level. (He had 579 yards over the last two years.) Earlier in camp, new coach Andy Reid mentioned Baldwin's struggles to catch the football. Baldwin had a bad drop in Kansas City's preseason game against San Francisco on Friday, but that didn't dissuade the 49ers...

49ers easily got the better talent in this deal, imo...

Pro Football Focus ‏@PFF

A.J. Jenkins got on the field for 47 snaps as a 49er (regular & postseason games). Ran 22 routes, targeted once, dropped it

 

[Blake]

I am very interested to see how this pans out.

 

[Playoffs]

I am very interested to see how this pans out.

I am, too. I found it curious that the best "diagnosis" the 49ers could come up with for Jenkins' poor progress was 'lack of swagger'. He might do better with different coaches.

 

[Wolf6151]

Interesting trade. I look forward to seeing what Jenkins can do with different surroundings. For many players being traded or cut is an eye opening experience and they then flourish with their new team. I really like Jenkins alot coming out of college.

 

[htownfan32]

Interesting trade. I look forward to seeing what Jenkins can do with different surroundings. For many players being traded or cut is an eye opening experience and they then flourish with their new team. I really like Jenkins alot coming out of college.

I did too, but I thought he was a MASSIVE reach by the 49ers in the late first.

 

[Lucky]

Makes sense for both teams. Reid can use Jenkins in the slot while Harbaugh is wanting a bigger WR who can go across the middle, ala Crabtree.

 

[thunderkyss]

Wow... some teams don't play.

 

[Wolf6151]

Wow... some teams don't play.

Some teams own up to a mistake and move a player, we keep the guy on the roster so that it doesn't look like a mistake and then just let them go at the end of their contract. It's an ego thing with the GM so that he's not perceived as having drafted the wrong guy.

 

[infantrycak]

Some teams own up to a mistake and move a player, we keep the guy on the roster so that it doesn't look like a mistake and then just let them go at the end of their contract. It's an ego thing with the GM so that he's not perceived as having drafted the wrong guy.

What picks by Rick Smith demonstrate this?