After the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs played a preseason game against one another, both decided to witch disappointing draft picks to one another. The 49ers got former first-rounder Jon Baldwin, while the Chiefs got preseason disappointment, AJ Jenkins. Both receivers were drafted with all the potential in the world but have yet to prove worthy of their first-round status. Now with a fresh start to take advantage of, quarterback Alex Smith is confident Jenkins makes the most of his new home.
Jenkins' preseason reviews were not exactly positive. The 49ers were banking on the second-year player to really step into a prominent role. With the loss of Michael Crabtree, 2013 was Jenkins year to move up the ladder. However, things have yet to go as planned. The receiver had several big drops in preseason games resulting in his reps decreasing during practice. Now, the receiver is reunited with former teammate Smith who believes the Chiefs will get the most out of Jenkins.
"That's a veteran team with a lot of pieces in place," Smith said, via the team's website. "So it wasn't his job from the jump. He came in and had to battle for it. I could say, I think it was a deeper roster there. For whatever reason, it didn't work out. He's got a ton of talent, a lot of speed, so I think the change is doing some good."
Jenkins now joins a wide receivers group that has very little experience between them. Terrance Cooper is the lone veteran with 10 years under his belt while star Dwayne Bowe has seven. The remaining players at most, have around two years of game-time experience. Jenkins is in a good position to see some playing time, if he be productive.
Smith's words on Jenkins were much kinder than those of 49ers' tight end Vernon David. The veteran had remained supportive of Jenkins while he was on the team and struggling. However, now he is singing a different tune, telling the receiver to use this trade as a real wake-up call.
"Maybe take his approach toward the game up a notch," Davis said, via Matt Barrows of theSacramento Bee. "I think that be some he can benefit from. Just take his approach up a little bit more. Go above and beyond being a professional. . . ."
Davis said that if Jenkins really wants to make it as a top receiver in the NFL, he will find a way to make it work, just not in San Francisco. The trade only heats up the matchups between the 49ers and Chiefs. If the revenge mindset of Smith was not enough, this trade certainly ramped things up.
