Texans newest slot receiver possesses scary speed and frightening
How did Iowa State’s set the tone on the first play of the 2024 season? With a 55-yard heave to Jaylin Noel in double coverage. That set the tone for an almost 1,200-yard receiving season and eight touchdowns to go along with. The Houston Texans newest third round receiver boasts incredible play making ability and brings a spark to an otherwise weary wide receiver depth chart.
Today I will be breaking down the film on Houston Texans rookie Jaylin Noel. This will be the first in a weekly column on Wednesdays analyzing each selection in the 2025 class and their projected impact in Houston.
This isn’t another Will Fuller V; Noel has more nuance in his releases and route tree than Fuller did out of college. While Fuller was a superior prospect due to his speed and deep route running, Noel brings short area quickness and legitimate dynamism with the ball in his hands.
When given a free release, Noel is the best deep threat in this class who isn’t a 6’3 and above gargantuan. Based on his film, Noel is more suited to win against man coverage than zones due to his routes being predicated on his speed rather than vision.
One of Noels greatest calling cards is four years of production and each year he had more catches, yards, and touchdowns than the prior season. That resonates with Houston as Noel is only further growing into his potential rather than being a one-hit wonder.
One of the better unknown Youtube channels out there, Just The Tape, compiled every catch and target of Noel this past season.
Best Game: Kansas: eight catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns.
Worst Game: UCF: four drops – one led to a pick six, one in the end zone, and one that ended a drive.
The Fit in Houston:
Everyone wants to know if Noel will replace Tank Dell. Dell is recovering from a catastrophic knee injury and Houston would be foolish to reserve a multi-year roster spot for a player coming off consecutive knee surgeries. In a world where Dell is able to fully heal, they will directly compete in three wide receiver packages. Houston featured four WRs less than 1% of plays in 2024… which means one of them will be on the bench watching the other in 2026.
Noel will be emblematic to Bruce Ellington’s 2017 – 2018 run in Houston where he took the top off the defense for DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller to run wild underneath.
He will be utilized in early downs to get plus-yardage (anything greater than three yards) with screens, 5-yard out routes, and curl routes. As his game evolves, he will reintroduce his deep speed into the offense to elongate defenses. He will be an immediate juxtaposition to Nico Collins and former Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins’ size with quick, zipping routes throughout the field.
Strengths:
- Two-time captain with four years of production
- Great outbreaking routes; cuts clean at the top of routes
- Resource on two minute drill
- Extremely dynamic with the ball in his hands
- Acceleration off line of scrimmage
- Punt and kick return ace
- Uses pacing to bait corners into biting (personal favorite)
Issues:
- Not fierce at the catch point; low contested catch
- Needs to improve getting shoulders around on curl routes
- Low floor, high ceiling on punt returns; had multiple fumbles
- Uses hands to basket catch deep balls than attack them with his hands
- Well documented limited catch radius
- Limited experience against press coverage; will stay in the slot
Overall Analysis:
Pure slot receiver. He uses his speed to tempo routes and mask his acceleration. Noel is best when in open space; the issue is getting the ball into his hands. Iowa State found creative ways to scheme him into those opportunities, but NFL offenses aren’t drawn up in the same fashion. Offensive Coordinator Nick Caley must implement a plan to unlock Noel, otherwise the rookie becomes window dressing behind Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, Christian Kirk, and eventually Tank Dell. Expect his rookie season to have several inspiring highlights but muted overall production as he competes with the new free agents and stalwart young vets (John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson) for snaps.