Jaylin Noel 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Jaylin Noel 2025 NFL Draft Profile

I just covered Jayden Higgins in the 2025 NFL Draft profile series. Now we’re doing the other Iowa State wide out, Jaylin Noel. Be warned, I’m going to be a lot more negative on this one so let’s get right into it.

NFL Draft Stock Report: Conference Championships, Pop-Tarts Bowl, Senior Bowl (1), (2), (3), Game

Noel, 22, checks in at 5-foot-10, 194, and spent all four years at Iowa State. Noel was a three star prospect out of the state of Missouri recruiting wise. If you want to read the stock report notes at the top, feel free but I’ll warn you it’s me being a party pooper.

I didn’t see it any time I watched him. Hard pass during the conference championship game against Arizona State. Hard pass during the Combine. Had some moments at the Senior Bowl but nothing crazy.

The good news is that it appears that Noel is a hard worker. 23 reps on the bench for a small receiver is a good mark. His production went up at a consistent rate all four years with the Cyclones. He ended his college career with 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and eight scores. As I said in the Higgins profile, if you think Rocco Becht stinks, get your head checked. QB play was there all year ,for the most part.

For me, it’s really about the little stuff with Noel. Drifted really bad at the Combine and it shows watching him. Zero length and 8 3/4 hand size. The drops are there in buckets too. A 7.2% drop rate is far from ideal. Can’t be small, with small hands, and struggle to catch the ball. I don’t think he will be a terrible punt returner though! Slot player with some speed. That’s about all you’re getting. Comeback and curl routes are good, but wouldn’t say he’s a polished route runner beyond that.

By the way, for a smaller speed guy, there is zero YAC ability. What’s the point then? A total of seven forced missed tackles over the last two years while playing bad defenses in the Big 12. Just totally trash. You’re essentially hoping he can win deep balls while being small with bad hands. I don’t see how it works.

I’m just not a fan of Jaylin Noel and don’t see what others do. Feels like a smurf who can kinda move but won’t be anything at the NFL level. Never impressed me any time I watched him, and gets a 6th-7th round grade from me. Outside of being a tiny receiver with some speed, I don’t get the hype here at all. Reminds me of James Washington out of Okahoma State who put up these cute numbers in the Big 12 but wasn’t actually a good football player to transition in the NFL.

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