Kansas City Chiefs: Jon Baldwin in Store for a Breakout Year or Sophomore Slump?

Nobody knew what to expect when the Kansas City Chiefs used their first-round pick on Pittsburgh wide receiver Jon Baldwin at least year’s draft, but the way his rookie campaign in the NFL unfolded shocked everyone in and around the organization.

Baldwin’s NFL career was put on hold early on in training camp last year when he injured his wrist during a fight with veteran running back Thomas Jones, immediately raising concerns about his character. And although he showed a few flashes of how good he could be in this league, his 21 receptions for 254 yards and only one touchdown over an 11-game span were far from eye-popping.

Standing at 6’4” and 228 pounds, Baldwin has the prototypical frame that teams desire from a No. 1 wide receiver. Throw in that fact that he has consistently run the 40-yard dash in under 4.5 seconds and you have the physical makeup of a very special talent in this league.

But it is a recurring theme in the NFL that young wide receivers take time to blossom and eventually fully grasp their potential.  Although he put up respectable numbers, teammate Dwayne Bowe even needed three seasons before breaking out to the tune of 72 receptions for 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2010.

It also wasn’t in Baldwin’s favor that the Chiefs had a 2011 season that most would like to forget. Injuries to key players, especially on the offensive side of the ball, and a lack of preparation demonstrated by the coaching staff and management hindered the team out of the gate. And although they still had a chance to make the playoffs, they ended up falling short.

This offseason has been vastly different, with the Chiefs having made subtle splashes in free agency to improve the offense, something that can only benefit Baldwin’s development.

With an improved offensive line after signing right tackle Eric Winston, quarterback Matt Cassel will have every opportunity to duplicate his 2010 season in which he threw for 3,116 yards and 27 touchdowns. That is plenty of production to be spread around, even with the additions of Kevin Boss and the return of Tony Moeaki at tight end.

Coming into the 2012 season as the third wide receiver behind Bowe and Steve Breaston will allow Baldwin to ease into a more prominent role without the pressures that he might have suffered coming back from his self-inflicted injury during his rookie season.

However, the key for Baldwin will be consistency by staying on the field, harnessing his talent and not squandering his opportunities.

While a breakout season might be out of reach for Baldwin, making strides in simply proving that he belongs with the Chiefs and in the NFL might be just enough to appease everyone for now.

Contact Jeremy at [e-mail], on Twitter @KCPopFlyBoy and read more at popflyboys.com.