Jaylin Noel Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
School: Iowa State
Class: Senior
Position: WR
HT: 5’10
WT: 194 lbs
CLICK HERE TO WATCH MY JAYLIN NOEL FILM BREAKDOWN
Background: Jaylin Noel is a speedy receiver from the high school class of 2021 who was given a 3-star rating in high school. Noel is from Kansas City, Missouri and played for Park Hill High School. Jaylin was the No. 8 ranked player in the state of Missouri, and he was a top 100 wide receiver in the country. Noel was a three-time all-conference selection, while being an All-Missouri selection as a senior. At Park Hill, Noel was both a dominant receiver and a solid return man. Jaylin was an all-conference pick in track & field as well. Jaylin Noel committed to Iowa State over Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas State, and more.
College: His freshman season with Iowa State was one of the best in school history. He recorded 39 receptions for 269 yards across 13 games that included 3 starts. Noel nearly doubled his season totals in 2022 with 60 receptions and 572 yards. He was an All-Academic selection in 2022 and the team’s second leading receiver behind eventual draft pick, Xavier Hutchinson. In 2023, Noel finished with 66 receptions for 820 yards and 7 touchdowns. On top of being the top receiving target, Noel was also the primary return man for Iowa State. He earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors for the Cyclones. In 2024, Noel was a captain who played in every game for Iowa State. He finished the season with 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and 8 touchdowns. He received honorable mention honors as a receiver and First Team All-Big 12 honors as a returner.
Strengths: Jaylin Noel is a speed demon at the receiver position. He ran a 4.3 at the combine and that speed translates to his game. Noel stretches the defense vertically and can take the top off the back end. He has the rare ability to be a slot receiver who can get vertical and track deep balls over his shoulder. He has also shown the ability to get up and high point the football when necessary. He can hurt defenses at every level of the field. He does well with intermediate routes to get in and out of his breaks to create separation. He has twitchy athleticism and the footwork to create separation close to the line of scrimmage. He is often utilized in the short areas because of how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. As a ball carrier, Noel shows creativity to shake defenders in open space. Despite being a smaller player, he is just as productive outside the numbers. He works well along the boundary to stack receivers and get vertical. Noel also has extensive history as a return specialist. He could be looked at to be a team’s return man as a rookie if he does not see the field on offense much.
Weaknesses: Noel’s smaller stature will give him issues against NFL boundary cornerbacks. He might get bullied on the perimeter. Noel is susceptible to getting jammed by the physical press coverage cornerbacks. His frame points to him being strictly a slot receiver despite getting snaps at the boundary in college. Throughout the route stem, Noel has too many wasted movements. He needs to clean up his routes if he wants to succeed in the slot full time. While he is fast, his process in turning up field after completing the process of a catch is dragged out.
Conclusion: Jaylin Noel is a dynamic wide receiver who can win with speed. He has succeeded both on the boundary and in the slot for the Cyclones, but he translates to strictly the slot in the NFL. He will hurt defenses at every level. At the very least, Noel will be a dangerous returner.
Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile
Ideal Role: Slot WR
Best Team Fits: CAR, SF, LVR
Player Comparison: Jalin Hyatt
Player Grade: Round 3 (76.8)
