Jaylin Noel’s 2026 Outlook: Can the Texans Unlock His Offensive Potential?
When the Houston Texans drafted Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins in 2025, the vision was clear: bring in two dynamic rookies with complementary skill sets-Higgins with his length and physicality on the outside, and Noel with his burst, agility, and return-game prowess. One year later, the results were mixed, and the usage of Noel in particular raised some eyebrows.
Let’s be clear: the Texans didn’t draft Noel just to return punts. But in a crowded receiver room, that’s where he made his biggest impact.
The Numbers Behind the Narrative
Noel’s rookie year wasn’t without flashes, but the numbers tell a story of a player still waiting for a consistent role in the offense. He finished with:
- 35 targets (7th on the team)
- 26 receptions (6th)
- 292 receiving yards (5th)
- Six plays of 20+ yards (3rd)
- 13 first downs (5th)
He played in all 17 games, but in 12 of those, he saw two targets or fewer. In nine games, he didn’t even hit double digits in receiving yards. That’s not the kind of production fans were hoping for from a player touted as a versatile weapon.
And when you’re getting fewer targets than a running back-Woody Marks had 36-it’s fair to ask whether the offensive staff truly had a plan for Noel as a receiver.
The Coaching Staff’s Take
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley wasn’t shy about his support for Noel. He’s said repeatedly that Noel is part of the plan, and that the wide receiver rotation is more about keeping guys fresh than a lack of trust.
“We love Jaylin Noel. We plan for him,” Caley said back in November. “It’s not a faith issue.”
General manager Nick Caserio echoed that sentiment, pointing to Noel’s versatility as a returner and his flashes on offense. “When he played offensively, he made a lot of plays,” Caserio said. “We’re going to see more J-Noel next year.”
That’s the hope. But the path to more offensive snaps won’t be easy.
The Tank Dell Factor
Here’s where things get complicated. Tank Dell is expected to return in 2026, and his presence looms large over Noel’s potential role. Dell and Noel are built from a similar mold-compact, explosive, capable of stretching defenses vertically and doing damage after the catch.
The issue? There’s likely only room for one of them to consistently eat in this offense.
Dell’s chemistry with quarterback C.J. Stroud is well-documented.
If he’s healthy, he’s going to command a significant target share. Add in Nico Collins, Jayden Higgins, and a reliable tight end in Dalton Schultz, and suddenly the squeeze is on for Noel.
In a perfect world, the Texans could roll out all four wideouts and create matchup nightmares across the board. But NFL offenses are rarely that democratic. Someone’s going to have to sacrifice snaps, and based on 2025 usage, Noel’s the likely candidate-unless he forces the issue.
Special Teams Star, Offensive X-Factor?
Noel’s not without a role. He set a franchise rookie record with 335 punt return yards, and his ability to flip field position is a real asset. But fans-and frankly, the Texans themselves-want more than just a return ace.
The Texans didn’t spend a draft pick on Noel just to watch him jog off the field after every third down. His six explosive plays (20+ yards) ranked third on the team, despite limited opportunities.
That’s not nothing. It’s a sign that when he gets the ball, good things can happen.
The challenge now is finding a way to integrate him more consistently. Whether that’s in motion packages, screen concepts, or slot mismatches, Caley and the offensive staff have to get creative.
What Comes Next
Noel enters Year 2 with something to prove. The tools are there-speed, hands, vision.
The question is whether the Texans can carve out a role for him that goes beyond special teams. With Dell’s return and a deep receiver group, the margin for error is slim.
But if Noel can continue to develop and earn Stroud’s trust, his skill set could bring a new dimension to this offense. The Texans have the makings of a dangerous receiving corps. If Noel finds his place in it, defenses across the league will have one more problem to worry about.
For now, he’s a player to watch-because if Houston figures out how to unlock him, the payoff could be explosive.