Pre-Season Outlook

The Texans used the 79th overall pick in the third round to select Noel, shortly after drafting his college teammate Jayden Higgins at No. 36. Both are coming off 1,000-yard seasons and impressive combine performances, but earning snaps may take time with Nico Collins and Christian Kirk leading the depth chart. At 5-foot-10, 194 pounds, Noel might appear suited for the slot, but his athletic testing suggests he can line up outside as well. He ran a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, with a 41.5-inch vertical and 134-inch broad jump. Noel brought steady production throughout his four seasons at Iowa State, improving his stats across the board each year. His path to immediate playing time is blocked for now, but injuries or underperformance ahead of him could open the door. While more appealing in dynasty formats, Noel is worth tracking in case a larger opportunity comes his way during his rookie campaign.