Pitt’s Jon Baldwin was able to shrug off all the criticism about his work ethic, the questions from fans about his not being ready for the NFL, and despite a substandard junior season, was still taken as a first-round pick Thursday night.
More than anything else, Baldwin was taken based on his potential and his prototypical wide receiver body. At 6-foot-5, he’s the perfect big target for NFL quarterbacks.
Baldwin is headed to the Kansas City Chiefs, which should be a good fit for him. He’ll team up with 1,000-yard receiver Dwayne Bowe, and should have a chance to start next season if he can beat out veteran Chris Chambers. He’s also working with a veteran quarterback in Matt Cassel. That, along with the presence of a big-time reciever such as Bowe will only help Baldwin have a smooth transition. He’ll have some time to ease into the role without having a ton of pressure on him immediately.
For more analysis, check out SB Nation Pitt blog Cardiac Hill.