Jaylin Noel: 2025 Player Profile

Iowa State University Athletics

Jaylin Noel

Age: 22

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 194

Career Stats: 51 G/ 245 Rec/ 2,939 Yds/ 18 TD

24' Stats: 14 G / 80 Rec / 1,232 yds / 8 TD

College YPR: 11.7 YPR

Target Share: 25.4%

Catch Rate: 69%

College Dominator Score: 32.7%

Athleticism Score: 101.4 (14th of 32)

All Time Athleticism Rank (434th of 1244)

Combine Scores:

40 (4.39) Cone (6.82) Vert (41.5)

NFL Next Gen Grade: 80 (Good)

FITTING THE NFL MOLD

Ideally, a WRs height will be between 6'1" and 6'3" and he will weigh somewhere between 205 and 215 lbs. Noel is a smaller receiver which is going to make life difficult for him on the perimeter but could see success as a slot receiver. The three greatest predictors of NFL success for WRs in the combine are the 40 Yard Dash, the 3-Cone Drill, and the Vertical Jump. These test a players speed as well as their ability to high point a ball. Noel excelled in these drills running a sub 4.4 40, tying for 5th in the 3-cone drill, and tying for the best vertical among players who participated at the Combine. While his straight-line speed isn't going to wow anyone (72nd percentile Speed Score), he has incredible acceleration and shiftiness putting him in the 99th percentile in Burst Score.

COLLEGE PRODUCTION

Two factors that scouts will raise red flags on are if a receiver has multiple 100+ reception seasons along with injuries and if they play in air-raid or spread heavy systems. Noel competed for all 4 years and played a whopping 51 games over his career. This past season was his most active and he received 80 receptions on the season. He has been coached extensively and had time to work on his craft without seeing the playing time that would concern teams.

WATCHING THE TAPE

   Noel's burst is no joke as he is able to use that acceleration to quickly take advantage of a defense if the safeties over the top aren't on the right page. Noel does a good job of getting his head around to track the ball even when he is hand fighting or working his way through coverage. Noel ran most of his routes out of the slot and appears to be most comfortable playing from that position. He has difficulty staying up through contact due to his small frame and physical hard-hitting safeties are going to have success knocking the ball out. Noel will also struggle with press coverage at the next level as he wins when he is able to get the jump on the defending DBs. If he is jammed at the line, he is going to struggle to find separation for the rest of the play.

THE LANDING SPOT

   Noel was not only the 2nd receiver drafted by the Texans, but he was the 2nd receiver from Iowa State drafted joining him teammate Higgins. I love that he is tied to Stroud, but he is going to have an uphill battle to see playing time. He has to steal snaps away from Collins, Dell, Kirk, and Higgins making him likely the 5th WR. He could jump Higgins in the depth chart, but the Texans took Higgins in the early 2nd round and want him to be the guy before Noel.

WHERE TO DRAFT HIM

   Due to the receiver depth in Houston, unless something drastic happens in training camp, he is un-draftable in redraft formats. In dynasty rookie drafts, he should go anywhere from the mid 2nd round to into the 3rd.

Player Comp

Sterling Shepard