There’s good news, and there’s bad news. Bad news first.
Has 2nd year receiver A.J. Jenkins played like the first round pick that he was? No.
In reality, most of the 49ers draft picks that they took after Jenkins have contributed a little more than he has so far. Especially true for 2nd round pick LaMichael James, who has clearly shown the ability to be a proficient backup to Frank Gore, and may even take Gore’s position when it’s time for 21 to go.
In the 49ers first preseason game against the Broncos, Jenkins made one catch for 11 yards… but gave the ball away on a fumble. Not a very good start to the new season, especially when competing for a spot with a camp roster that includes Austin Collie, Kyle Williams, Chad Hall, and Mario Manningham.
Now the good news:
Jenkins is in one of the best positions a “struggling” young receiver can be. He’s on – technically – the second-best team in the NFL along with an elite coaching staff and some of the better receivers in the league to mentor him in (ironically) former Raven Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree.
And it doesn’t seem like the coaching staff is ready to call it quits with Jenkins… just yet.
“I think A.J.’s out there competing hard,” OC Greg Roman said. “I think everybody has those plays.”
“You’ve got to get better,” Roman added.
Remember Jerry Rice’s first season? Neither does history. Jenkins just needs to get over this first hump and become that downfield speed guy he was Illinois. But now is the time to act for him. The average NFL career is only about 4 years…
And thus, the storyline has been set.
