Matthew Golden | Texas 6’0 190 lbs. August 1, 2003 (Age 21)
Matthew Golden was drafted by the Green Bay Packers, becoming the 4th wide receiver and 23rd overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE PRODUCTION
| Year | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Target Share | Catch Rate | Receiving Touchdowns | Age | School |
| 2022 | 11 (WR) | 38 (59 tgts) | 571 (15.0 ypr) | 11.8% | 64.4% | 7 | 19 | Houston |
| 2023 | 9 (WR) | 38 (62 tgts) | 404 (10.6 ypr) | 15.3% | 61.3% | 6 | 20 | Houston |
| 2024 | 16 (WR) | 58 (86 tgts) | 987 (17.0 ypr) | 15.9% | 67.4% | 9 | 21 | Texas |
There is a little room for skepticism with Golden’s overall production profile. He never at any point in his career dominated in demanding targets but posted impressive efficiency metrics such as high yards per reception. Golden’s YPRR is a little underwhelming and puts him in some strange company among 1st round receivers, similar to prospects like Xavier Legette. However, his junior season at Texas was strong overall, with a high catch rate, close to 1,000 yards, and 9 touchdowns all being very respectable numbers. Golden especially burst onto the scene late in the season for Texas, having 2 of his best games of his career in the CFB playoff against Georgia and then against Arizona State. He posted a combined 15 catches for 311 yards and 1 touchdown. Overall, his production profile is not a strength but indicates the potential that many analysts see on film.
FILM
Golden is an explosive, dynamic threat at all 3 levels. He excels after the catch but especially dominated consistently throughout his career as a vertical field stretcher, winning consistently on fades and deep posts. Golden is physical at the catch point and has high-level ball-tracking skills. This is paired with elite athleticism, which requires you to look no further than his blazing speed, which he uses to gain separation with smooth acceleration. Golden is an overall good route runner, but can certainly still develop more nuance in this element of his game. Golden compares to me as somewhat similar to Terry McLaurin, but perhaps with even more explosion.
ATHLETIC TESTING
Golden earned his first-round draft capital at the combine in just one event, posting a 4.29 40-yard dash with a 1.29 10-yard split. These numbers indicate elite speed and explosiveness.
DRAFT ANALYSIS
Rapid Reaction to Draft Capital: Above-average
Rapid Reaction to Landing Spot: Average
The Packers were very close to the median of Golden’s range of outcomes. Objectively, the 23rd pick is great draft capital investment to receive and positions Golden firmly in the drivers seat of the Green Bay wide receiving room. Even despite the crowded nature of that group in recent years, Golden enters with a built-in chance to solidify alpha status and eventually emerge as Jordan Love’s go-to guy. Not to mention, Golden is making history as Green Bay’s first first-round WR since 2002.
While Green Bay was previously thought to be loaded at WR, their receiving corps came up short down the stretch, leading many to suspect that this would be their main issue to be addressed in the draft. Golden is a great fit for Matt LaFleur’s west-coast scheme and will get a chance to operate in many different slots on the field. LaFleur’s creative playcalling and Love’s aggressive, anticipatory play style will lead to plenty of downfield chances for Golden to make plays, and also consistent involvement underneath in intermediate routes and in the screen game.
FANTASY INSIGHTS
Golden has immediately landed in the low-end WR2 range for me, currently ranked as my WR21. My gut tells me this will probably prove to be bullish as the market begins to form its opinion over the next two days of draft picks, but we’ll have to see where Golden’s ADP lies. Today, I’d be willing to spend as high as a 1.08 or 1.09 on Golden, but would hope to get him closer to the 1/2 turn. Golden can realistically be leaned on for FLEX production out of the gate with a real chance to climb in to the WR3-low end WR2 range as a rookie. If he manages to do this, his value will likely take a leap as he continues to improve as a player and develop rapport with Jordan Love. I am extremely excited to invest in Golden in my leagues as a high-upside swing with a respectable floor.
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