Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel is one of the best pass catchers in the 2025 NFL Draft class. He pairs together excellent athleticism with good route running and technique to set up defenders to create separation.
Jaylin Noel Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 5’9
- Weight: 196 lbs.
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Iowa State
- Current Year: Senior
Scouting Report
Noel is from Kansas City, Missouri, and attended Park Hill High School, where he was a football and track and field star. A sprinter in his prep years, Noel ran the 100 and 200 and also participated in relays. He was just a three-star recruit and garnered offers from most schools in the Midwest before deciding to sign with Iowa State.
Iowa State didn’t waste much time getting Noel involved, as he played in every game as a true freshman and also made three starts. He was the team’s primary returner on special teams and was successful in that phase.
As a sophomore, Noel’s playing time increased, and he ended up starting eight out of 12 games. By the time he was a junior, Noel was a big part of the Iowa State offense and was considered one of the better players on the team.
In his fourth and final year with the Cyclones, Noel enjoyed his best statistical season and was named First Team All-Big 12 as a punt returner. Noel enters the NFL Draft as one of the class’s most explosive receivers.
Strengths
- Excellent straight-line speed and acceleration to get vertical
- Very good toughness and not afraid to go over the middle of the field
- Good short-area quickness to change direction and get in and out of breaks to create easy separation
- Tracks the ball very well and can adjust his body well down the field
- Outstanding returner and has good value in that phase of the game
- Very good after the catch and has speed to defeat angles in pursuit
Weaknesses
- Primarily a slot-only receiver in college
- Inconsistent hands and not a natural hands catcher
- Just average size and play strength
Current NFL Draft Projection and Summary
Noel is an exciting prospect and one of the better receivers in this year’s class. Noel was a four-year contributor for the Cyclones and excelled as a pass catcher as well as a returner on special teams. He was primarily a slot receiver for Iowa State, and that’s likely where he will see the bulk of his snaps in the NFL.
As a prospect, Noel has a lot to like. He is a highly explosive athlete who displays excellent speed and acceleration. He has just average size and play strength and likely won’t be asked to play outside much in the NFL due to his lack of mass and length. Noel’s athleticism is near the tops in this year’s class, and he offers big play ability with how he is able to stretch the field.
Iowa State was creative with how they got Noel the football. He was used primarily on deep over routes and fades, which allowed him to use his speed and burst to separate down the field vertically. He consistently got behind the defense and displayed excellent ability to track the ball down the field. Additionally, Noel was used often on short and quick game passes to get the ball into his hands and let him gain yards after the catch.
He is a good route runner and displays nuance to his game. Noel will often incorporate head and body fakes throughout the stem of his route, which allows him to set up the defender. He is able to sink and explode out of cuts and creates easy separation on slants and in breaking routes. For a smaller receiver, Noel displays very good toughness and isn’t afraid to make tough catches over the middle of the field.
Noel’s lack of size and play strength is evident when he is tasked with making contested catches. Defensive backs have proven to be able to work back through him and dislodge the football. In addition, when defenders are able to get their hands on him early in the route, Noel can get pushed off of his stem and jammed up.
His ability as a runner with the ball in his hands is excellent. He has speed to defeat angles in pursuit and has good balance to run through tackles. He is a true big play threat and can score from just about anywhere on the field. These same attributes help him excel as a returner, where he is known to be a big play threat as well.
Overall, Noel projects as a slot receiver who can win at all three levels of the field. He likely will never be a focal point of an offense, but he clearly has starting-level ability and is a plus on special teams. He will likely hear his name called on Day 2 of the NFL Draft.