The Chiefs selected 6'4 230 lb Jon Baldwin but through 2 seasons he had played in 26 games and caught just 41 passes for 579 yards and 2 tds. The touchdown number is what ultimately spelled the end to his Chiefs career as the big bodied receiver was drafted to be a redzone target. Tony Gonzalez was now a Falcon having left in 2008, and the signs of a decline by Dwayne Bowe were rampant but Baldwin just wasn't cutting it so the Chiefs looked to cut their losses in a creative way. They knew the 49ers weren't too happy with the production of their former first round pick Aj Jenkins.
Aj Jenkins was a much different player than Baldwin. He was 6'1 190 lbs, and known for his speed not his intimidating physical presence. He was also able to return kicks which added value. However he literally did nothing during his time with the 49ers. He appeared in 3 games despite being healthy all season, unable to crack the lineup. After he was targetted just one time and dropped the pass he essentially stopped receiving snaps totalling just 37 snaps as a 49er. Logging no statistics, despite the 49ers later appearing in the Super Bowl, Jenkins was allowed to see the field but again never logged a stat. He was subsequently traded to the Chiefs in exchange for Jon Baldwin in an attempt to cut their losses as well. In a rather unheard of move they were both able to move on from a bust and gain a player they felt was more valuable to their offense.
So how did this trade pan out? The short answer is not well, for either player meaning it was a wash, both players saw a new start but weren't able to capitalize on the opportunity. While Jenkins did go on to catch his first pass 511 days after being drafted as a Chief, from a former 49ers teammate, Alex Smith. He went to play in 25 games for the team catching 17 passes for 223 yards, 4 carries for 4 yards, but ironically was never used as a return man and was out of football by 2015 failing to latch on with the Cowboys in 2015 and never signing again. While Jenkins' career was just taking off, Baldwin's was nearing it's close. He would go on to appear in 7 games, catch 3 passes for 28 yards, and after that one season with San Francisco never latched on with another NFL team. He went to camp with the Lions but didn't pass his physical and was waived the following day. The point of bringing up this trade is two NFL franchises find themselves in a similar predicament. The Eagles and Patriots have two highly drafted wide receivers on their roster that have failed to live up to expectations so far, so why not swap and see if a new atmosphere brings out the best in them. Those men are JJ Arcega-Whiteside, and N'keal Harry.
For those who don't know who these guys are let's start with the higher drafted of the two N'keal Harry. Harry was drafted in the first round of the 2019 draft selected 32nd overall. The former Arizona State player made first team all pac 12 in 2017, and 2018. Through 37 games in 3 seasons Harry dominated in college with 213 receptions for 2,889 yards for a 13.6 yards per reception, and 22 tds, then added 23 carries for 144 yards, and 3 tds. He even threw a pass for 46 yards at one point. In the NFL things have not gone well. Despite playing in 21 games through his first two seasons with 14 starts. Catching 45 receptions for 414 yards, and 4 tds adding 7 carries for 49 yards. The 6'3 228 lb wide receiver was supposed to be the next Randy Moss, but instead has turned in disappointing results. This is far from what the Patriots had hoped, you see Harry is the first wide receiver the Patriots have drafted in the first round under Bill Belicheck which is saying a lot. Keep in mind they had guys like Deion Branch, Troy Brown, and Julian Edelman during his tenure. Harry has since requested a trade from the Patriots.
As for the second guy JJ Arcega-Whiteside was a 2nd round pick and was drafted just above physical freak DK Metcalf. Despite being a 6'2 223 lb receiver, JJAW has struggled mightily to get off of press coverage and is simply not quick enough off the line of scrimmage to gain separation like was expected. He has generated just 14 receptions for 254 yards and 1 td which is sort of misleading being that he is averaging 18.1 yards per reception despite having a career long of just 37 yards. Regardless this is a guy who simply put is now buried on the depth chart after the Eagles have used first round picks in back to back seasons on smaller, quicker receivers in Devonta Smith, and Jalen Reagor. They need that big body in their receiver corps but they simply don't have another guy like him on the roster. That's why a swap of JJAW and Harry makes so much sense.
First of all the Patriots have signed on two players that JJAW is familiar with in Nelson Agholor another break out wide receiver that wa a bust in Philly, and Jalen Mills a DB. Both guys are veterans that can help guide his transition to a new team. Second of all Belicheck is a master of using players for their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses which is why I would expect to see JJAW be used on obvious run downs almost as an extra tight end due to his great blocking skills. On the other hand how does Harry fit with Philly?
In Philadelphia like I mentioned Harry would be competing for 3rd on the depth chart and it would in theory take away some of the pressure on him to be a number 1 target. He would still give them that big bodied receiver they need for the redzone while also giving them an added threat on jet sweeps at times as well. Harry would get the fresh start he wants as he knows no one on the Eagles from his time with New England, and he would be coached by a former NFL receiver Aaron Moorehead who was a similarly styled player to Harry.
Maybe the Patriots look at this swap and want more value, but I cant imagine anything more than a swap of late round picks. Maybe Philly sends JJAW and a 5th or 6th to New England for Harry and a 6th or 7th. Regardless this is a trade that to steal a phrase from Scott Pioli "was in the best interests of all parties involved."
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