Everyone knows by now the Kansas City Chiefs made Pittsburgh WR Jonathan Baldwin their first round pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Chiefs GM Scott Pioli has always said he wants "big, strong and fast" players and that's what they have in Baldwin.
Pioli talked to the media following the draft and explained what he liked about Baldwin.
"Here's what we like about Jonathan: he's big, he's strong, he's fast, he's been very productive, he's got tremendous catching ability and we think, based on where we're at, at this point in time, that he gives us some things we don't necessarily have right now. He's a guy who runs sub-4.5, he's big, he's over 6'4", he's a big, strong target with really, really good hands."
Pretty much nails it. The only thing I'd take issue with is his productivity, which actually declined from 2009 to 2010. (Baldwin may tell you that's because of his quarterback.) But, physically, I like a lot of things about Baldwin.
"We think he'll add a new dynamic to our team down in the red zone in terms of being a big receiver," Pioli said. "That gives us two big receivers that have different types of route-running skills now and different types of speed and who can run complementary routes."
Pioli said he and WR Dwayne Bowe have similar traits but ultimately are different types of receivers. Bowe doesn't have the height of Baldwin so that's one of their biggest differences.
Someone better tell QB Matt Cassel to start practicing his red zone fade passes.