Is more of a strider when asked to get vertical, lacks a great first initial burst and seems to really fight himself at times trying to get off the line and quickly into his route. Does a really nice job of plucking the football over the middle of the field and isn't afraid to put his body in harms way in order to make a play. Exhibits some shiftiness to his game with the ball in his hands and is able to side step defenders and accelerate into daylight.
However, he lacks ideal balance/fluidity as a route runner. He's consistently forced to gear down and gather himself when asked to change directions and doesn't generate a great deal of separation out of his breaks. Plus, he isn't real sudden when asked to beat press coverage, and although he does do a good job of gaining a step by using his physicality to fight through defenders and then dropping his shoulder to maintain balance/strength, he isn't nearly as impressive at beating the bump as you would expect from someone his size.
Seemed to look a bit bigger in 2010 and didn't quite have the same type of electric jump ball ability he did in 2009. His motor also seemed to run hot/cold as the season went on because of substandard QB play. Is a physical, nasty blocker when he wants to be and can dominate at the point of attack, but at times seems content to simply go through the motions and lacks the kind of ideal killer instinct.
Impression: At his best when asked to get down the field and go up and make a play on the football. Can make a play on the football even when covered up, which is good because he doesn't strike me as a guy who is going to create a lot of separation for himself in the NFL. Is said to run in the low 4.4 range, but doesn't play nearly that fast and looks more like a possession type wideout at the next level."
Hands: Capable of making sensational catches but dropped catchable passes when the team needed plays. Can snag high throws using height and vertical leap, also lays out for passes using great length. Fails to high-point jump balls consistently, too often waiting until they fall into his chest. Senses when big hits are coming.
Route Running: Runs most of the route tree. His specialty is the nine route, but is also used on shallow and intermediate crosses. Willing to sit down in the zone over the middle. Gives head fake to get inside position on skinny post and seam. Could tighten up his footwork, rounds into and out of crossing routes instead of plant-and-driving. Must prove the quickness to run jerk routes inside.
After The Catch: One of the areas in which he needs work. Gets the most out of plays when on the run, eluding oncoming defenders by allowing them to slide past. Long arms allow him to hold off smaller defenders. Flashes the balance to keep running after high-pointing a pass down the sideline. Height and average strength takes away his ability to elude NFL-caliber tackles in short areas. Jumps when unnecessary, taking away run-after-catch chances. Takes circuitous routes on comeback routes.
Blocking: Shows promise as a blocker with better effort. Usually takes aggression to the defender, churning his legs to push him back 10-15 yards at times. Has the length to hold off his man. Lacks flexibility to mirror NFL defensive backs and is very inconsistent moving his feet to sustain throughout the play.
Intangibles: Scouts will have questions about his attitude and maturity. Charged with misdemeanor indecent assault, harassment and disorderly conduct in May 2009 after an incident involving a female student on campus shuttle bus; charges eventually dropped. Father was a defensive lineman for the Panthers in the early 1980s. His cousin, Charles Fisher, played defensive back at West Virginia in the late 1990s and played in the NFL."
Agility: Baldwin has very good jumping ability, but he doesn’t always time his leaps properly. Because of that, he doesn’t always high point the ball.
Body control: Possesses an excellent head fake, which he uses to create separation. Uses his lower body strength to keep his balance when working his way through routes.
Blocking: When Baldwin plays with good effort, he can be solid as a blocker. Has the strength to control defensive backs and open up wide rushing lanes. Of course he’s not perfectly sound in his technique, but he does a nice job extending his arms.
Hands: This is perhaps Baldwin’s top area. He frequently makes big catches outside his frame that most receivers wouldn’t be able to pull in. Consistently squeezes that ball outside his frame to make the catch.
Release: For such a big player, Baldwin has some issues getting off the line of scrimmage. His first step footwork is a little slow. Surprisingly, Baldwin struggles when he’s jammed.
Route running: Has run a variety of routes at Pitt and will not have to be coached complex routes. Needs to learn how to run tighter and more crisp routes. Tends to round them off which allows corners to close distance.
Size: Possesses impressive size for a wide receiver. Has a big frame and long arms. Knows how to use his body to his advantage. Is hard to bring down after the catch.
Speed: Has excellent deep speed for such a big receiver. But it takes Baldwin some time to get up to top speed. Is a long strider who needs some space to build up speed. Is faster than he is quick, so it’s questionable how much his speed will get him open.
Final word: It’s easy to fall in love with Baldwin as a prospect. He has excellent size and good speed once he really gets moving. His hands are good and he catches the ball routinely away from his frame. However, there are a lot of questions out there about Baldwins effort. He’s had some lapses of inconsistency throughout his career, which are concerning.
Still, it can be a little hard to judge Baldwin. He’s never had a great quarterback throwing him the ball. As a junior, the Pittsburgh quarterback play was especially poor. Baldwin still managed to finish the season with 53 receptions for 822 yards and five touchdowns.
In May of 2009, Baldwin was charged with assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. The charges were later dropped."
Baldwin has the talent to be special.
Baldwin has put his elite skills on display for the past two season at Pittsburgh, showcasing his big-play ability and willingness to go after any ball. Any teams looking for a potentially elite receiver will have to take a serious look at Baldwin and his potential.
Strengths
Baldwin is a massive target, seemingly a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. He has great size and length, making any ball catchable. Baldiwn possesses no fear in going across the middle of the field, while showcasing excellent hands and concentration in bringing the ball in. Truly excels at the big play. Is a very good runner after the catch and is tough to bring down. Seems to be too big and physical for many to handle at the college level, and with the proper work and coaching, should have this ability translate to the next level. His size and great hands make him a constant red-zone threat. Can beat you in a number of ways, and has the speed and athleticism to take short passes the distance. Not a burner, but for his size, he’s an exceptional athlete. Overall a great talent with loads of upside.
Weaknesses
Like many star receivers, character and work ethic have been and will continue to be his main knocks. Doesn’t run precise routes, as he seems to feel his size and physicality are good enough. Not always the most fluid of athletes, as he doesn’t always break out of his routes cleanly, and sometimes struggles with separation. Has the physical tools and raw talent to be an absolute beast at the next level, but needs to be committed to being the best he can be.
Draft Range
From a complete talent stand-point, Baldwin has it all. His physical attributes make him a first round prospect, and should have him in any conversations discussing the top 3-4 receivers in the 2011 NFL Draft. His draft stock is hinged to his off-field issues and willingness to become a more complete and dominant player. The concerns are legit, so Baldwin could easily fall to the second round, although it wouldn’t be a huge shock to see his talent get him selected in the first round.
NFL Player Comparison: Brandon Marshall"
Positive: Game-controlling receiver who has flashed the ability to dominate opponents the past three seasons. Always extends and makes catches away from his body. Comes back to the ball out of breaks, finds the open spot in the defense, and consistently helps out the quarterback. Uses his terrific size to out-opposition defenders, gets vertical, and wins out for the jump ball. Displays good hand-eye coordination and plays with body control. Makes the difficult reception with defenders draped on him, goes up in a crowd, and comes away with the ball.
Negative: Displays limited quickness and speed in his game. Poor route runner who slows into breaks and is not quick on exit. Does not show naturally soft hands. Gets minimal results as a downfield blocker.
Analysis: Baldwin was one of the more dominant receivers the past two seasons after making an immediate impact with the Panthers as a freshman. He has the size and skills necessary to be a productive second receiver on the NFL level if he learns to does the little things well. Possesses a great amount of upside potential but is by no means a sure thing for any team."
Negatives: Comes with some character concerns, was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment in 2009... Needs to work on his route running, slows down to change direction and runs too much in a straight line... Has trouble getting off the line of scrimmage despite his frame... Doesn't always get good separation in man coverage... Lacks any suddenness to his game... Appears lazy at times, doesn't always come back to the ball when plays break down... Has not dominated the way that he should with his physical gifts."
Weaknesses: Immature. Got down on his team, his QB, (and some would say his coach) this past season. Looked lackadaisical and miffed on the field at times. Coasts at times when he is not getting the ball. Tips the defense when he is not getting the ball. Average work habits at best. Despite talent, has not developed into the type of deep threat he is capable of becoming. Only sightly above average hands. Does not appear driven or self-motivated. As you can see, most of the questions here are from the neck up....
Projection: 1st round talent who will have to interview well, and prove to scouts he has the ability to mature, and that 2010 was a fluke off-year in order to break out of the 3rd area he is probably mired in at present."
Those numbers should improve as quarterback Tino Sunseri gets better. Pitt has dominated their two Big East games by beating Syracuse and Rutgers and they are the only undefeated team left in conference play. If the Panthers continue to win games, Baldwin will finally get some national attention.
Yet, at 6-5 and 230 pounds, Baldwin does not need his team to do well for him to be a first round draft pick. Not only does Baldwin have great size and strength, but he is fast. He has reportedly run a sub 4.4 40 and if he does that again at the NFL combine, he will be the first receiver off of the board. Even if he runs a 4.5 40, he will be one of the top three receivers in the draft…that is if he opts to forgo his senior season at Pitt."
Most impressive of all may be his ability to go up and get the football—he possesses impressive leaping ability and it doesn’t hurt that he measures in at 6’5”. More than length, Baldwin is also big (225 pounds), muscular and strong, which allows him to out-fight cornerbacks fairly easily. The high school hoops star is very flexible for a man of his size, capable of going down to get the football as easily as he wins jump balls. Baldwin can do damage on crossing routes attacking the middle of the gridiron or outside the hash marks down the field. In his breakout season the Big East star produced seven 100-yard games, including three straight to end the regular season. Pitt may have fallen short of a conference title, but Baldwin wasn’t the reason why—he caught 14 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in losses to West Virginia (19-16) and Cincinnati (45-44). The Panthers will be breaking in a new quarterback this season, but that won’t stop Baldwin and the team from achieving big things in 2010.
SCOUT'S TAKE
The soon-to-be junior wide receiver passes the eye test with flying colors—standing at 6’5” and 225 pounds Baldwin is blessed with great length, excellent muscle build and definition, as well as large hands. However, the Pitt product is more than just body beautiful; once he gets on the field, his skills become evident. Baldwin is a long strider and while he doesn’t have the best burst off the line or short area quickness, his top end speed, once he reaches it, is very impressive. His fleetness of foot combined with his uncanny ability to high-point the football on deep throws, amazing hand-eye coordination, leaping ability and his skill at contorting his body in mid-air all come together to make him an elite deep threat. Given his size and strength, Baldwin has the potential to be an exceptional run blocker, and if he commits himself to that part of the game NFL coaches will salivate over him. The Panther does lacks elite top-end burst, hip fluidity and acceleration. Nevertheless, if Baldwin can come into Pittsburgh and dominate during his junior year while remaining healthy, he has every chance to be a top-20 pick."
He has terrific body length and leaping ability but has had some trouble against better cornerbacks such as Miami (Fla.)'s Brandon Harris, does not always play with confidence and is still immature and learning how to play the game."
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Jonathan Baldwin has tremendous Strength, but not a whole hell of a lot else. His skill set strikes me as that of a Possession Receiver, and I just don't think he's got the mentality for that role.
Over Rated!!
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