Battle Red Blog
Welcome to week 5 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 5 Cyclones Tracker:
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Name: Jayden Higgins
Position: WR
Projected week 5 storm path: 2.7 targets, 1.8 receptions, 21.9 yards, 0.1 TD’s, 7.2 fantasy pts
Actual week 5 path: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 32 yards, 0 TD’s, 8.4 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 5: 10 targets, 9 receptions, 121 yards (13.4 avg.), 1 TD, 22.3 fantasy pts
Assessment: After a breakout game against a moribund Titans squad, Higgins followed it up with a solid contribution to a historical butt kicking of the Baltimore Ravens.
He finished a perfect 4-4 with 32 yards receiving. Though he didn’t score on the day, his continued productivity and growth in the new Caley system is most important as he advances through his rookie season.
There should be sky-high confidence in his game breaking ability moving forward, regardless of how the stats have looked through five weeks. Hopefully, he will truly establish himself as the true opposite of Nico Collins that he was envisioned to be coming out of Iowa State.
Week 7 Projections: -BYE WEEK- (No projections available)
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Name: Jaylin Noel
Position: WR/PR & KR
Projected week 5 storm path: 1.4 targets, 1 reception, 9.7 yards, 0.1 TD’s, 2.9 fantasy pts
Actual week 5 path: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 13 yards, 1 TD, 43 return yards (21.5 yd avg.), 7.8 fantasy pts
Total stats through week 4: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 22 yards (4.4 yd avg.), 287 return yards, 1 TD, 11.9 fantasy pts
Assessment: Sound the alarm! This is not a drill. Jaylin Noel was finally allowed to make an impact for the offense! Up 34-10 with 13:54 left in the fourth quarter, C.J. Stroud hit Noel wide open on a quick out route to score the touchdown and increase their lead to 41-10.
Although it came on the back end of a blowout, Noel being the one to break the endzone plane should still build confidence in the reality that Noel definitely factors into the long term plans of the team.
There has been much pounding of the proverbial table for the former Iowa State Cyclone, as his running mate Jayden Higgins found paydirt last week against Tennessee and has been constantly featured more than Noel.
Now that both rookies have displayed an ability to be effective in the new offensive system, maybe the bye week will be an excellent opportunity for Caley and the coaching staff to truly map out their growth plan.
Week 7 Projections: -BYE WEEK- (No projections available)
All stats and projections provided courtesy of ESPN, FantasyPros and PFF.
