Who Should I Start? Jaylin Noel or Malik Benson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
4.3 1.5 0.0 1.6 19.0 0.1

Jaylin Noel News

Texans Plan to Ramp Jaylin Noel Back Up

Wednesday, August 19, 3:33 PM

The Houston Texans got wide receiver Jaylin Noel (hamstring, finger) back from his injuries this week in training camp, and they plan to ramp him up to get him back to where he was in the spring when he caught several touchdowns, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Noel's fantasy football stock rose dramatically on Wednesday after it was announced that fellow wideout Jayden Higgins (knee) suffered a season-ending torn ACL. The 23-year-old recently returned to practice after missing several weeks with a hamstring and pinkie injury, and now that he's back, the former third-rounder from Iowa State has a clear path to WR2 duties in Houston in his second year in the NFL now that Higgins is done for the season. In 17 regular-season games as a rookie in 2025, Noel caught 26 of his 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns for the Texans. At the very least, Noel should see a big rise in target share as the Texans continue to work Tank Dell back from a knee injury that kept him out for all of last year. RotoBaller now has Noel ranked as the No. 65 overall fantasy WR.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.3 0.0

Malik Benson News

Malik Benson Earning Reps With First-Team Offense

Sunday, August 16, 10:11 AM

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Malik Benson has earned reps with the first-team offense in training camp, according to head coach Klint Kubiak, per Levi Edwards of the team's official website. "He's earned those reps, but he's got to stay humble and stay hungry," Kubiak said. Benson has looked like the front-runner for the team's WR3 role this summer behind Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor, although Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. could still have something to say about that before the Week 1 regular-season opener rolls around in early September. The 23-year-old was taken in the sixth round in April from the University of Oregon after he caught 43 passes for 719 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games with the Ducks last year. Benson caught two of his four targets for 26 yards on 20 offensive snaps in the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals, also returning a kickoff for 21 yards. For now, Benson is a name to monitor in single-year redraft leagues.


Jaylin Noel vs. Malik Benson

Still trying to decide between Noel and Benson? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jaylin Noel is projected to score 4.3 points this week while Malik Benson is projected to score 0.2 points.