Jaylin Noel WR Iowa State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Jaylin Noel WR Iowa State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/26/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (69%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.5 DOB: 09/04/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Slot Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 02/26/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (69%*) | |
| Age: 22.5 DOB: 09/04/2002 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 112.8 | |
| Hands: |
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82% |
| Short Receiving: |
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84% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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89% |
| Deep Threat: |
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92% |
| Blocking: |
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64% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#101
Position rank:
#14
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| College Games: 51 College Snaps: 2085 | ||
ESPN RATING: 73/100
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247 RATING: 88/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Parker Washington - Penn State |
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89% |
| Jermaine Burton - Alabama |
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87% |
| Jayden Reed - Michigan State |
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83% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Jaylin Noel came from Kansas City's Park Hill High School as an under-the-radar three-star recruit who blossomed into one of the Big 12's most electric playmakers during his time at Iowa State. After choosing the Cyclones over Nebraska, Wisconsin, and his home-state schools, Noel made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2021, hauling in 39 receptions while establishing himself as a dangerous return specialist, averaging an impressive 26.0 yards per kickoff return – the eighth-best single-season mark in school history.The wideout's production climbed steadily each season, culminating in a spectacular 2024 campaign where he racked up 80 catches for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns. His senior year cemented his place in Cyclone history, finishing second all-time at Iowa State with 245 career receptions and fourth with 2,855 receiving yards and 18 touchdown catches. A two-time captain who earned First Team All-Big 12 honors as a return specialist in 2024, Noel showcased his big-play ability with seven career touchdowns of 50+ yards – equaling the most by any Cyclone since 1971.
What truly separated Noel was his remarkable consistency and versatility. He closed his collegiate career with a reception in 46 consecutive games – the second-longest streak in school history – while making significant contributions in the return game throughout. His 2023 season highlighted his explosive capabilities as he became the first FBS player since 2014 to record four 50+ yard receptions, two 50+ yard kick returns and two 30+ yard punt returns in a single campaign. His development from complementary piece to featured weapon culminated in a Senior Bowl invitation following his stellar senior season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Footwork is pure artistry at the line – can dead-leg corners into cement shoes with his release package, creating immediate separation from press.
- Sharp, crisp cuts that look like he's running on ice but sticking every edge – exceptional plant-and-drive ability that leaves defenders grasping at shadows.
- Routes have purpose and deception at every phase – uses eyes, shoulders and pacing to manipulate coverage and create windows that weren't there.
- Thrives in the intermediate game with an advanced understanding of finding soft spots in zone coverage and settling into throwing lanes.
- Accelerates like he's got afterburners – zero-to-sixty burst allows him to hit top speed in a blink and separate through his breaks.
- Alignment versatility jumps off the tape – can win from the slot, outside, or after motion and maintains route precision regardless of starting position.
- Shows natural hands when working the boundary – excellent body control to toe-tap and maintain awareness of sideline positioning.
- Special teams value multiplies his worth – averaged 15.3 yards per punt return and has proven return ability that will translate immediately to Sundays.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Drop concentration appears at the worst times – focus lapses have plagued him with a concerning 7.2% career drop rate that will raise eyebrows in draft rooms.
- Frame limitations show up in contested situations – lacks the wingspan (72.5") to consistently win 50/50 balls against longer NFL cornerbacks.
- Too often lets physical corners dictate terms at the LOS – needs to develop better hand-fighting techniques to clear contact before stems.
- After-catch creativity doesn't match his separation skills – rarely makes the first man miss and generates minimal yards through contact.
- Despite good testing speed, doesn't consistently stack corners vertically – will need schemed touches rather than winning purely on physical traits.
Scouting Report: Summary
Noel has "dangerous weapon" written all over him as a vertical slot receiver with deep-ball tracking ability that jumps off the film. The way he stresses defenses downfield belies his modest frame – this isn't your typical underneath slot guy. When he gets a clean release, defenders are immediately in survival mode. Watch how he manipulates safeties with his eyes before breaking into wide-open space on deep posts and seams – that's NFL-level route craft right there.His immediate impact will come in spread formations where he can be deployed on intermediate crossing patterns and deep shots from the slot. Smart offensive coordinators will capitalize on his exceptional deep-ball tracking ability and use him to attack the middle of the field where his precision route-running creates nightmares for nickel defenders and safeties. While he won't consistently win outside the numbers against press, his special teams prowess gives him multi-faceted value from day one.
The team that drafts Noel in the early Day 3 range (likely fourth round) will be getting a pro-ready separator with elite route technique and return game value. His ceiling is higher than most realize – put him with a QB who throws with anticipation and watch this kid eat up defenses from the slot. Don't be fooled by the smaller frame; his ball skills and route precision will make him an immediate contributor.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
Jaylin Noel percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Jaylin Noel (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
81.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
15.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.