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 makes him small by general NFL wideout standards but notably heavier than recent undersized burners 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. It shouldn't take long for Golden to get on the field in Green Bay, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be a frequent target or mainly used to stretch defenses with clear-out routes. The team's other deep threat, Christian Watson, likely will miss a chunk of the season after suffering an ACL tear in January, leaving Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks as the main obstacles to immediate playing time for Golden. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
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.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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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
View College Player Page
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
High projections for rookie season
Mike Clay of ESPN.com projects Golden to be the second-most productive rookie wide receiver behind the Panthers' Tetairoa McMillan in 2025.
ANALYSIS
Arguably more noteworthy than who Clay slots Golden behind is who he puts the speedster out of Texas ahead of -- the Jaguars' Travis Hunter. Golden is ticketed for 889 receiving yards and six touchdowns by Clay, who appears to be a believer in Golden's ability to quickly carve out a reliable role and earn plenty of Jordan Love's attention despite a crowded and talented wide receiver room in Green Bay.
Arguably more noteworthy than who Clay slots Golden behind is who he puts the speedster out of Texas ahead of -- the Jaguars' Travis Hunter. Golden is ticketed for 889 receiving yards and six touchdowns by Clay, who appears to be a believer in Golden's ability to quickly carve out a reliable role and earn plenty of Jordan Love's attention despite a crowded and talented wide receiver room in Green Bay.