It’s a bold gamble for the Green Bay Packers to take in the NFC North heavyweight fight the NFL Draft became. With their first-round pick, they took receiver Matthew Golden. This marks the first time since 2002 the Packers have drafted a wideout in the first round. This risky move goes to prove their commitment to doing whatever it takes to improve the offense. Golden, who starred at Texas and then went to Houston, has gaudy stats to back up his performance. His speed adds another dimension to the Packers’ already dangerous offensive roster.
Golden’s college career was marked by no less monumental accomplishments. During three seasons with the Cardinal, he totaled 134 catches for 1,975 yards and 22 touchdowns. His final season with the Longhorns in 2024 resulted in an impressive 58 catches for 987 yards and nine scores. The former Alabama star’s performance at the NFL Combine helped ensure that he would be a top-three pick. He logged a remarkable 40-yard dash time of 4.29 seconds, which was the top mark for all wideouts and the second-fastest overall.
Nevermind that other teams weren’t enamored enough to make him their third rec receiver a NFL draft. He was second behind Tetairoa McMillan, who went to the Carolina Panthers at No. 7 overall, and just ahead of Emeka Egbuka, selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19. Golden might fall slightly short of the preferred 5-foot-11 height for an outside receiver. Still, his rare speed and overwhelming college production couldn’t be ignored by the Packers.
As Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst recognized the gravity of this pick at a high level in a post-draft presser. To his credit, while he considered a number of enticing trade proposals, the talent level of Golden was just too high to warrant a pass.
“I will say this: In no time in my 20-some years within this organization, whether it was Ron or Ted, did I hear them talk about that as a philosophy,” – Brian Gutekunst
This pick provides first-year starting quarterback Jordan Love with a crucial new offensive weapon. It’s a move that starts to fill a familiar gaping hole in the Packers’ drafting philosophy. Since drafting Javon Walker in 2002, the franchise has never drafted a receiver in the first round. This decision represents a major change in their philosophy on how to construct their offense.
Golden expressed his excitement about being drafted by the Packers, emphasizing that it was a childhood dream to be selected in the first round. In turn, he acknowledged the historic nature of his selection and expressed graciousness for being chosen.
“What a great, cool moment for Green Bay [and] the Packers,” – Brian Gutekunst
During his introductory press conference, Gutekunst reflected on the franchise’s history with first-round receivers while lamenting missed opportunities, including the failure to select stars such as Randy Moss. Addressing that perception, he was adamant about the lack of first-round receivers being a hard and fast rule. If the perfect player fell to him, he’d go there without thinking twice.
Golden’s speed, which he truly showed off at the combine, definitely mitigates worries about his lack of height. His knack for creating plays and generating explosive yards makes him a solid candidate to help the Packers’ offense right away. At least on paper, his skill set fits right in with the Eagles’ other explosive playmakers capable of taking their aerial attack to the next level.
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