WPIAL Alum Selected in Round One of NFL Draft Thursday Night

By: Bruce Markey
Friday, April 29, 2011 | 12:00 AM

A former WPIAL football player is now preparing for life in the National Football League after being the lone local player drafted on Thursday night in the First Round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Aliquippa High School alum and University of Pittsburgh wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin will soon realize his dream of playing football on Sunday afternoons after he was selected with the 26th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Here is the NFL.com breakdown of the 6'4, 228-pound Jonathan Baldwin:

OVERVIEW:
Baldwin is giant wide receiver with the potential to develop into a starter at the next level. He is a speed builder who can get behind defensive backs, and he quickly finds the ball in the air. He is a weapon over the middle, as he has strong, reliable hands and the body control to make acrobatic catches in traffic. He is dangerous after the catch, as he can run away from linebackers and over defensive backs. Baldwin has to refine his route running skills, but he is intriguing due to his freakish measurables.

ANALYSIS Strengths:
Baldwin is a huge receiver with deceptive speed. Long strider that can stretch the field and shows the ability to consistently track the ball in the air. Possesses excellent hands and high points the ball very well. Strong runner after the catch that breaks arm tackles and flashes a vicious stiff arm. Fearless over the middle.

ANALYSIS Weaknesses:
Sloppy route runner that struggles to separate from quicker defensive backs. Takes too many false steps in transition and does not always find soft spots in zone coverage. Does not have enough wiggle to make defenders miss in the open field. Not exactly a willing run blocker and will occasionally take plays off.

Tags: Aliquippa