The Texans relieved former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik of his duties and then immediately added a slot receiver in free agency and two receivers with slot capabilities in the NFL Draft. The days of heavy two and three-tight end sets may well be over, and C.J. Stroud may be going to operate an offense with three or more receivers on the field far more often in 2025. Houston acquired Christian Kirk for a Round 7 pick before the draft, and the veteran receiver may be all that stands in the way of a featured role for Noel in Stroud's target distribution. With defenses keying on Nico Collins, Tank Dell shredded on posts and corner routes. Noel's Iowa State film showed similar deadly downfield route-running ability. There's no telling how much he'll play as a rookie, but there's potential for some surprise eruption games from the speedy slot technician. Noel should only be considered in the final rounds of Fantasy drafts.
Fantasy Stats
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Fantasy News
Texans' Jaylin Noel: Snags two passes Saturday
Rotowire
Noel caught both his targets for 16 yards in Saturday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Vikings.
The 2025 third-round pick slightly out-performed fellow rookie Jayden Higgins, although both young wideouts were overshadowed by veterans John Metchie (5-45-0 on eight targets) and Braxton Berrios (3-33-1 on three targets). Nico Collins and Christian Kirk should be C.J. Stroud's top two options when the regular season begins, but Higgins and Noel could be locked in a battle for the No. 3 spot straight through training camp and the preseason. Tank Dell (knee) currently has no timetable for a return.
The Texans selected Noel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 79th overall.
The Texans already took Noel's Iowa State teammate Jayden Higgins in the second round, so the dominant Cyclone duo reunites in Houston. Nico Collins and Christian Kirk might be too good to lose that many targets to the rookie duo in 2025, and Noel in particular might get the short end of the stick as the smallest of the four, but Noel's athletic testing and collegiate production indicate that he should seize whatever opportunity he's given. At 5-foot-10 with short arms Noel does not have the conventional build to line up on the boundary, though Noel's 4.39-second 40-yard dash showed he absolutely has the wheels to burn a defense deep if they aren't careful. Collins and Kirk both have had their share of durability troubles and Tank Dell isn't expected to be available anytime soon, so there's a chance Noel plays meaningful snaps in 2025 even though the Texans would prefer to keep him in a reserve role. Regardless of his short-term situation, Noel projects as a starting NFL wideout eventually.
