Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Wide Receiver Jonathan Baldwin: On the Road to Success in 2011

Meet the Chiefs' High-Flying Rookie wide receiver, Jonathan Baldwin

With the NFL Lockout continuing for hopefully only a few more weeks (fingers crossed), I think it's time I made a prediction for one of my favorite incoming rookies - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver, Jonathan Baldwin.

The former Pitt Panther standout has all the tools at his disposal to be a productive second weapon for quarterback Matt Cassel in a budding Chiefs' offense that already boasts two Pro-Bowlers in running back Jamaal Charles and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe. At 6'4", 228 lbs, Baldwin will be a big target for Cassel to throw the ball to, a luxury that the Chiefs haven't had at the wide receiver position in some time.

Baldwin is a great fit for Kansas City and should be able to take some double teams away from Dwayne Bowe. He has great hands, an incredible 43" vertical leap, 4.5 speed, and tracks the ball as well as anyone. With those measurables, it's no doubt that the Chiefs will look to go vertical with their passing attack and throw jump balls to Baldwin in the red zone this season.

But like any other rookie entering the league, there will be a learning curve for Baldwin while he makes the transition to the NFL game. As football fans, we have seen this happen time after time. A highly touted prospect makes his way into the league, only to go through some growing pains to begin his rookie campaign.

I think that this will be the same case for Baldwin, not because he will always struggle, but because he is still considered to be raw in some areas. This is nothing to worry about, as even some of the best receivers in NFL history struggled in the first few games of their respective careers.

However, that makes a swift end to this lockout even more crucial.
But in the meantime, Baldwin is still finding ways, albeit peculiar to get his work in.

Because of all the uncertainty and confusion the lockout has brought about, an interesting dynamic has already developed between Baldwin and his new quarterback. Shortly after the draft, the Cassel family opened their doors and welcomed the beast of a wide receiver into their home with open arms.

Welcome to the Cassel home, Jon. Don't worry about wiping your feet at the door. Just come right in, raid the fridge, put your feet up, and make yourself comfortable.

“It was great getting to know Matt,” Baldwin said this week. “I stayed at his house. I ate dinner with him and his family. We’re really building a relationship together. We’ve talked a lot of Xs and Os. It’s important. I think (the lockout) is going to crack soon and we have to be ready. We all have to stay in great shape and hit the job at 100 mph when they tell us. When the lockout is over, we have to be in Kansas City the next day, so this work together is important.”

Cassel, who has been commended by teammates for his leadership during the lockout, contacted Baldwin shortly after the Chiefs took the big Pittsburgh receiver with the No. 26 overall pick and arranged for him to join him in Kansas City for team workouts. Baldwin said the Chiefs are planning to get together soon for more sessions.

“It’s great to meet everyone, and it’s a really good team,” Baldwin said. “I feel blessed to be part of it.”

In addition to bonding with Cassel at the quarterback’s home, Baldwin and his new quarterback also shared a special experience. Along with offensive linemen Casey Wiegmann and Ryan Lilja, Cassel and Baldwin drove to Joplin, Mo., to assist in the aftermath of the horrendous tornadoes that tore through the town.

Seeing the aftermath of the destruction not only connected Baldwin to his new teammates but it also gave him a connection to Chiefs' fans and his new home state.
“It was devastating to go into a town that was completely wiped out,” Baldwin said. “We just wanted to help the people as much as we could.”

There were reports that Baldwin initiated his involvement in the Joplin trip. However, the soft-spoken Baldwin said he didn’t “want to take any credit” for it. He is just appreciative of the opportunity he has in Kansas City and is doing his best to work hard and fit in as a rookie.

There are plenty of diva receivers in the NFL, names like Randy Moss, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens come to mind. But unlike most receivers, Baldwin is looking to break that diva mold and come in the NFL with a clean slate.

It seems that Baldwin is planning to do his best to take advantage of a good situation. Soon after being drafted, Baldwin received a text from mentor and fellow former Pitt receiving great Larry Fitzgerald. The veteran told Baldwin he was fortunate to be able to play for Kansas City coach Todd Haley. Haley was the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator and has a good relationship with Fitzgerald.

“Larry told me I will love playing for coach Haley,” Baldwin said. “I look forward to it.”
Haley has a knack for working with talented receivers during his coaching tenure in the NFL. He has already worked with Pro Bowl receivers such as Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Dwayne Bowe, doing wonders for all of them.

Under Haley's tutelage, Baldwin's natural talents should flourish. Combine that with opposing defenses being under fire from Dwayne Bowe and the NFL's top-ranked rushing game via the duo of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, Baldwin should be good for about 800 yards and five touchdowns. For all you fantasy owners out there, the Beard and Stache believe you can take those numbers to the bank.

Despite being locked out, Jonathan Baldwin is well on the road to success in 2011.

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