KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs, after swapping first-round positions with Cleveland, have selected wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin of Pittsburgh with the 26th overall pick in the NFL draft.
The 6-foot-6 Baldwin had 822 yards receiving for the Panthers last year. He will join Dwayne Bowe, a talented but inconsistent veteran who went to his first Pro Bowl last year but was embarrassed in a 30-7 playoff loss to Baltimore when he did not catch a single pass.
Chaos reigned at Chiefs headquarters when Baltimore, holding the 26th pick, did not announce a decision until the clock had moved to Kansas City. After several confusing minutes, commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Chiefs had taken Baldwin.
The Chiefs had traded first-round positions with Cleveland, swapping their 21st selection for the Browns’ 27th.
The Chiefs also pick up a third-round pick, the 70th overall selection in the third draft Scott Pioli has conducted as general manager in Kansas City.
The Chiefs’ franchise-record six-game improvement last year produced an AFC West title. It did not conceal the fact the team has a great many needs, including wide receiver, offensive line, linebacker and noseguard.