After over two decades of going through the first round of NFL drafts without taking a wide receiver, the Green Bay Packers finally ended that trend Thursday night -- in Green Bay.
With the 23rd pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, the Packers took Texas Longhorns star wideout Matthew Golden, the first player in that position taken by the NFC North franchise in Round 1 since 2002, when Green Bay took Javon Walker.
Love, who is coming off his second year as Green Bay's full-time starter, appeared to show his support for the Packers' selection of Golden with a post on Instagram.
Golden projects to be a promising figure in Green Bay's air attack that finished 12th in the league in the 2024 NFL campaign with 3,807 passing yards. With Christian Watson suffering a late-season injury in 2024 that could force him to miss games in 2025, Golden is an intriguing asset who could help stabilize Green Bay's offense.
Additionally, Golden gives Green Bay some insurance in the position, with Romeo Doubs, Mecole Hardman and Reed set to play on expiring contracts in the coming season.
In 2024, Golden's only year with the Longhorns, he racked up 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 58 receptions through 16 games. He is someone known for his speed and ability to stretch the field, two things that he can provide the Packers, who went 11-6 in 2024 and struck out early in the playoffs after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round.
