Matthew Golden
21-Year-Old
2024 Receiving Stats
REC
0
YDS
0
TD
0
AVG
0.0
TAR
0
2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Golden was one of the stars of the pre-draft process, eventually landing in Green Bay with the 23rd overall pick after running a 4.29 40 at 5-foot-11, 191 pounds. That puts him on the small side for an NFL wideout in general, yet makes him notably heavier than undersized burners of recent years like Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown. It was Worthy who Golden replaced at Texas, transferring for 2024 after catching 76 passes for 988 yards and 13 TDs in two seasons at Houston. The one year in Austin yielded a 58-987-9 receiving line in 16 games, highlighted by a 162-yard performance against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game and a 149-yard showing against ASU in the CFP Quarterfinals. Golden finished the season with more yards and TDs than teammates Isaiah Bond and Gunnar Helm, both fellow 2025 draft prospects. It shouldn't take long for Golden to get on the field in Green Bay, but it's hard to say if he'll be there to frequently catch passes or just to run a lot of clear-out routes. The team's other deep threat, Christian Watson, likely will miss a chunk of the season after suffering an ACL tear late in 2024, leaving Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks as the main obstacles to immediate playing time for Golden. Read Past Outlooks
Packers add burner wideout in first
The Packers selected Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 23rd overall.
ANALYSIS
Although Golden probably isn't a prototypical WR1 at just 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, he presents a rare speed element that the Packers lack in the meantime. Golden's 4.29 speed was one of the headlining stories at the combine, and with wheels like that defenses have new reason to reconsider placing the safeties too close to the line of scrimmage. Jayden Reed (4.45-second 40) was the fastest remaining base package wideout for the Packers with Christian Watson (ACL) out indefinitely, so Golden is a good bet to jump into the starting lineup at the expense of either one or both of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Golden was an excellent kick returner at Houston and Texas and could be the same for the Packers, but it would be a disappointment if Golden can't push for at least the WR2 role in Green Bay by the end of his rookie season.
Although Golden probably isn't a prototypical WR1 at just 5-foot-11, 191 pounds, he presents a rare speed element that the Packers lack in the meantime. Golden's 4.29 speed was one of the headlining stories at the combine, and with wheels like that defenses have new reason to reconsider placing the safeties too close to the line of scrimmage. Jayden Reed (4.45-second 40) was the fastest remaining base package wideout for the Packers with Christian Watson (ACL) out indefinitely, so Golden is a good bet to jump into the starting lineup at the expense of either one or both of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Golden was an excellent kick returner at Houston and Texas and could be the same for the Packers, but it would be a disappointment if Golden can't push for at least the WR2 role in Green Bay by the end of his rookie season.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Matthew Golden lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2024 Matthew Golden Split Stats
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Measurables Review
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How do Matthew Golden's measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"Weight
191 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.29 secHand Length
9.50 inArm Length
30.62 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Breaks long Packers drought
Golden's selection by the Packers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft marked the first time the team picked a receiver in the opening round since 2002, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Golden was selected with the 23rd overall pick out of the University of Texas, making him the first wide receiver selected by the Packers in the first round since Javon Walker. The speedy ex-Longhorn was the third receiver off the board in Thursday night's opening round, and while the Packers did receive trade offers for their pick, they felt Golden and his 4.29 40 time was too good to pass up.
Golden was selected with the 23rd overall pick out of the University of Texas, making him the first wide receiver selected by the Packers in the first round since Javon Walker. The speedy ex-Longhorn was the third receiver off the board in Thursday night's opening round, and while the Packers did receive trade offers for their pick, they felt Golden and his 4.29 40 time was too good to pass up.