The streak is over.
With the 23rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, ending a 22-year run without drafting a receiver in the first round.
As a freshman at Houston in 2022, he appeared in 11 games with eight starts, finishing with 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2023, he tied for the team lead with six receiving touchdowns, again posting 38 catches for 404 yards. He also returned nine kickoffs for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
Golden transferred to Texas in 2024 and delivered his most complete season. He started all 16 games and led the team with 987 receiving yards on 58 receptions and nine touchdowns.
Last season, Golden played 175 snaps in the slot and 664 as a wide receiver. He ran an unofficial 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and has the speed to stretch the offense vertically – something the Packers need, especially with Christian Watson not expected to return until December.
The long-term outlook of Green Bay’s receiving corps is concerning. Romeo Doubs and Watson will enter the final year of their rookie contracts in 2025. Meanwhile, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks combined for 19 drops last year. Golden could have a chance to claim the WR1 role by the end of the year – and he’s ready to prove to Jordan Love that he’s a trustworthy target.
“Talented quarterback, can get out the pocket and make plays and damn sure can throw the ball,” Golden said about Love. “I’m letting him know as soon as I see him, ‘Man, you got a reliable target. You can trust me.’”
College football legend Nick Saban weighed in on Green Bay’s selection of Matthew Golden.
“Matthew Golden going to the Green Bay Packers with Jordan Love needing a weapon, and the Packers being a good team,” he said. “I think that was the most impactful pick for that team, in their position, to take the next step.”
There should be no limitations on how Green Bay can use Golden. Brian Gutekunst believes he has some of the best hands in the draft, and his speed adds a natural element to the offense that can become a valuable asset in the play-action game, helping open up underneath concepts.
“Obviously, he has elite speed," Gutekunst said. “His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. And when you watch him, we thought he arguably had some of the best hands in the draft.”
The 2024 season showed how much a true No. 1 receiver can elevate a quarterback. Justin Jefferson helped Sam Darnold find rhythm in Minnesota, Terry McLaurin gave Jayden Daniels a reliable target in Washington, Amon-Ra St. Brown continued to elevate Jared Goff, and Puka Nacua was a difference-maker for Matthew Stafford.
Jordan Love needs that kind of presence in Green Bay, and the Packers are trying to ensure their $55 million man has a top guy.
Golden will compete with the rest of the wide receiver group for a starting role. However, until Christian Watson returns, he should be Green Bay’s top deep-threat option.
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