Battle Red Blog
Welcome to week 4 of the Cyclone tracker!
This is where we follow our resident weather themed duo in rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, both out of Iowa State (hence, the “Cyclone” twins).
As always, there will be analysis, projections, commentary, and relevant updates that happen in real time.
Week 4 Cyclones Tracker:
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Name: Jayden Higgins
Position: WR
Projected week 4 storm path: 3.4 targets, 2.2 receptions, 27.1 yards, 0.1 TD’s, 5.8 fantasy pts
Actual week 4 path: 1 target, 1 reception, 24 yards, 1 TD, 8.4 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 4: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 89 yards (17.8 avg.), 1 TD, 15.1 fantasy pts
Assessment: Beggars can’t be choosers right? Even if it was only one reception, he definitely made it count. Higgins finally found the endzone after cooking Titans safety Amani Hooker on a deep route to score the first touchdown of his young career.
It’s definitely difficult not to nitpick the lack of targets, seeing as though Higgins has shown flashes of game breaking ability in very limited opportunities (only 6 total targets). However, the gradual elevation of Higgins’ usage in the play selection is hopefully a positive sign for the former Cyclone.
The more his number is called, the easier that also makes things on fellow 6’4” behemoth Nico Collins. The opportunity is there for a much more impactful offense if Higgins is targeted on a more frequent basis.
If nothing else, he has shown more of the big play ability that has been eluding this offense through the first month of the season.
Week 5 Projections: 2.7 targets, 1.8 receptions, 21.9 yards, 0.1 TD’s, 4.7 fantasy pts
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Name: Jaylin Noel
Position: WR/PR & KR
Projected week 4 storm path: 1.9 targets, 1.3 receptions, 13.2 yards, 0.1 TD’s
Actual week 4 path: 1 target, 1 receptions, -2 yards, 0 TD’s, 15 return yards (5 yd avg.), 0.0 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 4: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 9 yards (3 yd avg.), 244 return yards, 0 TD’s, 4.1 fantasy pts
Assessment: This might have been a low point offensively for the early career of Noel (and that’s saying something). Not only was he yet again not featured in the offense (1 target), he also lost out on some return opportunities to CB Tremon Smith in the kick return game.
It truly is puzzling to see the course of play integration that we’re seeing with Noel. Someone with the dynamic potential that he possesses seemingly can’t find his way into an ailing offense that took almost four quarters to get in gear against arguably the worst team in football. The two realities don’t make sense as a pairing.
But, one can do is hope for the best when it comes to his utilization. Maybe the success of fellow rookies Woody Marks and Jayden Higgins can help grease the wheels for a breakout game of his own.
Week 5 Projections: 1.4 targets, 1 reception, 9.7 yards, 0.1 TD’s, 2.9 fantasy pts...
