The 2025 NFL Draft wide receiver class might not be the deepest we’ve seen in recent years, but it still features several solid prospects, with potential starters expected to come off the board on both Day 1 and Day 2.
One draft analyst highlighted a wide receiver who may be flying under the radar during this pre-draft process but could surprise teams with his developmental upside and a playing style reminiscent of a proven NFL receiver.
Jaylin Noel Could Work Like Ladd McConkey in the NFL
Comparisons between college prospects and NFL players are a helpful way to visualize how a prospect’s game might translate to the next level. While they shouldn’t be taken too literally, they serve as a useful shorthand to summarize the more complex breakdown of a player’s traits and skill set.
Draft analyst Matt Harmon recently discussed Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel, highlighting him as a player with significant upside that could develop into a receiver with a similar impact to Ladd McConkey — who was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers last year and topped 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie season.
"I think his upside is absolutely insane."@MattHarmon_BYB and @FourVerts on a WR in this year's draft who's just like Ladd McConkey 🔥
(via Yahoo Fantasy Forecast) pic.twitter.com/ArsYvAmpkM
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) April 11, 2025
“He’s so explosive. You get the speed, the explosiveness, the suddenness. He’s just such a well-coordinated athlete,” Harmon said. “I think his upside is absolutely insane. There was a Ladd McConkey comp. When you’re talking about traits like this, talking about he production he had, I really see a case where this could be a big-time boom pick for a team.”
Noel is described as a slot receiver who can also contribute as a returner on special teams. He brings explosiveness, speed, and acceleration — traits that make him one of the most electric wideouts in this year’s NFL Draft class. While he has average size and solid play strength, his role at the next level will likely be limited to the slot early on.
Analyst Charles McDonald expanded on Harmon’s point, noting that while Noel profiles primarily as a slot receiver — much like McConkey — we shouldn’t completely rule out the possibility of him seeing snaps on the outside as well.
“He’s really like neck and neck in terms of success rate versus man coverage and with a guy like Ladd McConkey, who, as you mentioned, is a slot mostly player, but certainly not a slot only player,” McDonald added. “I think we could see something similar with Jaylin Noel, who I think could be that type of guy.”
McDonald concluded by saying he sees a real chance for Noel to be selected at the end of the first round, as he checks a lot of boxes teams may be looking for. He also sees Noel on par with other receivers like Matthew Golden and Luther Burden III.
The NFL Draft is now less than two weeks away and is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent years — with plenty of potential surprises on Day 1 and a strong group of Day 2 and 3 talents who could grow into productive starters in the NFL.