The Green Bay Packers selected Texas WR Matthew Golden with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Matthew Golden is an explosive and dynamic receiver with positional flexibility.
Golden makes plays from multiple wide receiver positions, X, slot, & Z. He separates from coverage well with his innate ability to decelerate and accelerate in and out of his breaks. He sells go-routes on the vertical plane well to push the cornerback upfield creating space for him to break downhill and back towards the quarterback. He modulates speeds to Golden is a crisp route runner who separators well at the top of his route. He is a quick mover with sharp plants to pivot in the right direction. Golden can suddenly change directions and lose his man coverage defender. He works the inside leverage well before cutting between the hashes into the middle of the field.
Golden's speed and acceleration will take the top off the defense; generating explosive plays through the air to back safeties off and create lighter defensive fronts against the run. He will take the primary corner and deep safety vertical; essentially freeing up underneath routes for his teammates. His acceleration is outstanding and on display after the catch. Golden can explode past defenders after catching an underneath target in space. He shifts gears quickly in space and can eat up grass for maximum YAC.
In contested catch situations, Golden displays good body control as he elevates in the air to make a play. He is competitive at the catch point and can reel in difficult grabs. Golden's ability to contort his body and maintain control to stay in bounds is impressive.
As a run blocker, Golden leaves a lot to be desired. He struggles to sustain leverage or the block. He lacks the play strength and physicality to operate as a play-side crackback blocker. He is easily shed by defenders and displaced. If aligned in the slot, effective run blocking is important to have in your wheelhouse. Golden's wingspan is functional, but NFL cornerbacks with athleticism and a good wingspan will challenge him at the LOS. His use of hands against press alignment needs work. To maximize his skill set and potential, he must develop more counters against physical corners.
In all, Matthew Golden projects as a WR 2/3 to assume the role of a movement Z receiver. With his speed and explosiveness Golden will be a nice complement to a traditional X-receiver. He will be the quick separator in the offense.
MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 195
40-YARD DASH: 4.29
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICLE: N/A
BROAD: N/A
POSITIVES
— Great long speed and burst off the ball to create explosive plays down the field.
— Separation creator due to sharp and crisp route running ability.
— Speed modulation to keep defensive backs on their heels.
— Catch point competitiveness with good hand-eye coordination and body control.
NEGATIVES
— Consistency with use of hands in contact window to combat long-limbed physical corners.
— Has battled injuries over the past few seasons, five missed games prior to 2024.
— Cleaning up concentration drops, accounted for 13 over the least three seasons.
— Play strength concerns contribute to struggles sustaining run blocks, after initial contact.
NOTES
— Born Aug. 1, 2003
— 4-Star recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports
— 30 collegiate starts between Houston & Texas
— 2023: All-Big 12 Football Second Team (KR/PR)
GRADE: 8.0 (Year 1 Starter — Late 1st - Early 2nd)
OVERALL RANK: 20
POSITION RANK: WR2
PRO COMPARISON: Santana Moss
