Sleeper 2025 NFL Draft prospect that has a chance to be this year's shocking First Round selection come April
Every year there is a shocking first round selection in the respective NFL Draft, one that makes people shake their heads in disbelief and question the decision making of that particular NFL team. The same will be true when the 2025 NFL Draft officially kicks off in April. The only question is, who will it […]
Every year there is a shocking first round selection in the respective NFL Draft, one that makes people shake their heads in disbelief and question the decision making of that particular NFL team. The same will be true when the 2025 NFL Draft officially kicks off in April. The only question is, who will it be?
Just to prepare everyone out there, this particular first round is going to be pure chaos. The back end of the round could get very weird, and we could in the end, have several of those head scratching moments. One particular prospect, who needs more love, and could end up in this category is Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel.
The general consensus needs to view the predraft process as a resume building process, and a job interview of sorts. There are multiple layers to that process, and each part of it matters. When a prospect is able to check as many boxes as possible and clear potential hurdles, they become more desirable and create less baggage.
It all starts with the film for Noel, which was tremendous the last two seasons. During his final season in 2024, the former Cyclone star was fantastic. In 14 games, Noel hauled in 80 receptions for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns. He did all of that while sharing targets with another potential top-100 selection in Jayden Higgins, and had just solid quarterback play to work with.
Noel followed up that tremendous season with a dynamic performance at the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl. He dazzled with his route running, explosiveness, and ability to track the football down the field. Even while competing against the nation's best, Noel showcased that he is one of the top pass catchers in the 2025 class. It was a brilliant week.
To put a bow on the process, Noel also continued to turn a lot of heads at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He was able to measure in over 5-10, a mark he was previously just under. The former track and field standout proceeded to run the forty-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, while also posting a 41.5-inch vertical jump, and a 11' 2" broad jump. That is another check as an athlete.
When you add in the fact that Noel has no semblance of any off field issues, and injuries, and you have a really clean overall prospect. In a class that has several players who toe that line of off field concerns, that profile becomes even more desirable. That could cause Noel to end up going in the late first round come April. There just isn't a major hole in his game outside of his smaller frame.
With a game that resembles former Carolina Panther great Steve Smith Sr., some will question Noel going that early. The more you sit back and really think about it, that valuation makes a lot of sense. It is a below average wide receiver class, and Noel has dominated every part of the draft process.