1st Round (23rd Overall) WR Matthew Golden

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

3 days ago

Matthew Golden | Wide Receiver | Texas | 5'11" - 193 lbs.

Overview
Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future.

Strengths

Meets the moment with big plays in big games.
Adequate linear speed to work past corners on vertical routes.
Agile feet allow quicker gather-and-cut as a route runner.
Good alteration of route tempo in intermediate work.
Shows ability to sink, slow and open quickly from hard vertical push.
Twitchy pluck-and-tuck protects the catch through contact.
Displays body control and focus for highlight reel adjustments and grabs.
Big-play kick return talent with two touchdowns as a sophomore at Houston.

Weaknesses

Routes can be too nonchalant and unfocused.
Takes foot off the gas if he feels like the route is covered.
Pops upright into route breaks, providing coverage a tell.
Needs to play stronger at the top of the route.
Inconsistent working back on throws to protect catch-point.
Poor hand timing causes focus drops underneath.

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wpr
Preferred Member

2 days ago

I'm shocked

bboystyle
Member

2 days ago

I just dont get it. He is pretty much Reed 2.0. We have young WR's. We need a pass rusher, DL and OL help before WR. Simmons and Green were there....

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

2 days ago

I just dont get it. He is pretty much Reed 2.0. We have young WR's. We need a pass rusher, DL and OL help before WR. Simmons and Green were there....

Originally Posted by: bboystyle

Packers do not have many WR under contract beyond 2025. This is how they draft. They do not draft for what is perceived as a need right now. Draft is for the future. We'll see if this works out.

bboystyle
Member

2 days ago

Packers do not have many WR under contract beyond 2025. This is how they draft. They do not draft for what is perceived as a need right now. Draft is for the future. We'll see if this works out.

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool

Its a dumb pick. Just my opinion. GB proccess clearly doesnt work so. First round should be an immediate need and a starter. Then u have the other round to play with for future positions and depth. This is why GB will forever suck drafting in the 1st round. No knock on Golden but he isnt anything special. Its another wasted 1st round pick. Keep track of Mike Green to see what we could of had.

Martha Careful
Member

2 days ago

I just dont get it. He is pretty much Reed 2.0. We have young WR's. We need a pass rusher, DL and OL help before WR. Simmons and Green were there....

Originally Posted by: bboystyle

I would've preferred a cornerback.
But objectively,we really don't have reliability at the wide receiver position other than Reed. Watson is hurt, Doubs is one more concussion away from being a vegetable, Wicks has drops. Milton is a three or four at best. and given that he was, depending on how you count it, the number two or three receiver on the board, it is a good pick... what time will tell.

Go Packers!!!!

earthquake
Member

2 days ago

Originally Posted by: bboystyle

WR was both a short and long-term need, with Watson being back at what, midseason at best? Like Kevin said, they only have 2 WRs signed in 2026 (Reed and Wicks), now they have 3. The only thing that's a little surprising about this pick to me is his size. But with that speed, it makes more sense, especially with Watson being out.

Packers run 11 personnel 2/3rds of the time, which means they effectively have 3 starting WRs. Golden should be able to push Wicks and Melton for snaps as a rookie at a minimum. It's not like he's gonna spend the year on the bench. Also, 4 WR sets with Doubs and Wicks outside and Reed and Golden inside? Sign me up man.

Probably means Hardman doesn't make the team, too, given that Golden is basically the same guy but 6 years younger.

blank

beast
Select Member

2 days ago

I just dont get it. He is pretty much Reed 2.0. We have young WR's. We need a pass rusher, DL and OL help before WR. Simmons and Green were there....

Originally Posted by: bboystyle

I strongly disagree... Reed is pretty much used as a slot WR only type.

Golden will be used on the outside a lot more.
If Golden is replacing anyone, it's an outside WR.

My biggest concern is, we got a deep ball WR... but do we have a deep ball QB?

Mucky Tundra
Honored Member

2 days ago

I'm shocked

Originally Posted by: wpr

As am I. It's become so routine for GB to not draft a WR even with how the teams needs were shaping up I figured after the Steelers nabbed Harmon I thought "Well they'll probably draft a CB or an EDGE and call it a night." And that was after I opined in chat that it felt like if there was a year for them to WR in the 1st it would be this one. And yet I was still very surprised to see them take one when I checked my phone on break at work.

Packers run 11 personnel 2/3rds of the time, which means they effectively have 3 starting WRs. Golden should be able to push Wicks and Melton for snaps as a rookie at a minimum. It's not like he's gonna spend the year on the bench. Also, 4 WR sets with Doubs and Wicks outside and Reed and Golden inside? Sign me up man.

Originally Posted by: earthquake

Do they really run 4 WR sets much outside of hurry up/gotta get back in the game situations?

As for Golden, he seems like a smaller, less athletic version of Watson which sounds like a back handed compliment until you realize that Watson has plenty of athleticism to spare and Golden is better at route running. I might be mistaken but it feels like Watson hasn't improved his route running much since being drafted. I think what the Packers really like and want from Golden is his ability to win and win fast off the line of scrimmage.

“Nah. I like having the island. It’s pretty cool...not too many visitors”

"I’ve got it." -Aaron Rodgers

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

2 days ago

#10

Originally Posted by: bboystyle

We don't have a billionaire owner that can bail us out financially. So, this is a good process. And it's worked. Do we need to take a risk here and there? Yes!!

Also, I agree about first round. I'd rather us trade back for multiple day two picks.

I like this pick though. I had a feeling of that Ohio State kid or Golden were at 23 that's where we'd go. We wanted WR on 2020 and we tried moving into first to get Watson. They aren't afraid of WR in round one. It just hasn't fallen that way. The CB available are concerning to me.

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Fan Shout

beast (3h) : Yeah, but also some of the wording suggestions Jax only pranked called the QB, not the others... and if he had an open spreadsheet & 3 calls

beast (3h) : Thank goodness he's not leaving the Turtle in the Red Tide

Mucky Tundra (4h) : Cowboys 1st round pick Tyler Booker will indeed be bringing his pet turtle to Dallas with him

Mucky Tundra (4h) : that contained all prospects info and contact

Mucky Tundra (4h) : beast, according the Falcons statement Jax came across it on an ipad. If I had to guess, probably an open spread sheet or something

Zero2Cool (4h) : Simmons put up an emoji with cheese.

beast (4h) : Not sure anyone is interested in Isaiah Simmons... Collin Oliver might of taken his potential slot

beast (5h) : I'm going with Jax Ulbrich is not telling the whole truth... he accidentally came across it? Why would a defensive coordinator have a QB #?

Zero2Cool (5h) : He's not that great, but final piece of the script.\

Zero2Cool (5h) : If we add Isaiah Simmons, book your Super Bowl tickets

Mucky Tundra (6h) : Colts 1st round TE Tyler Warren also got prank called, was that Jax Ulbrich as well?

Zero2Cool (6h) : Jax Ulbrich, Jeff Ulbrich’s son, released an apology for his role in the Shedeur Sanders prank call.

Martha Careful (6h) : apparently he did not participate in practice or play on the east west shrine game nor the NFL combine. The kid was a mediocre spoiled brat

Mucky Tundra (6h) : Yeah that one that was a super wounded duck that Sanders supporters are highlighting to prove a point

Zero2Cool (6h) : Shough is the guy who missed guys at combine isn't he?

beast (7h) : It's not official until I'm dead! I have a chance still! (Not really)

Mucky Tundra (16h) : I could feel my body decomposing in real time when I read that

Mucky Tundra (16h) : @MIKEYSAINRISTIL Tyler Shough will officially be the last person drafted to the NFL born in the 1900’s

Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : saw the tweet, he meant the city

Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : Was that for the team or the city?

Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter · 3m Draft grade is in: Green Bay gets an A. The people, the city, the venue were all superb. NFL Draft’s next

Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matt LaFleur says Jaire Alexander is participating in #Packers offseason program, which has been conducted virtually during this first week

Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : ✅ ...

buckeyepackfan (26-Apr) : Check

Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Matthew Golden cahanged 81 to 22??

TheKanataThrilla (26-Apr) : Sam Howell to Vikings...guess no Aaron

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : 1 round 7 min, with one extra minute if there is a trade. 2nd round 4 minutes, 3rd -3, 2 thereafter IMO

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Agree

dfosterf (26-Apr) : Great idea imo

dfosterf (26-Apr) : 1st round to 7 minutes with one extension

dfosterf (26-Apr) : NFL comissioner wants to shorten the 2st

Mucky Tundra (26-Apr) : @jalenreagors They’re discussing if Sheduer can go back to college on NFL Network LMFAOOOOO

beast (26-Apr) : Great point Martha

beast (26-Apr) : Buddy Ryan used to say if a candy bar goes missing, there are two to blame, Rex and Rob 🤪 jk 😁

Martha Careful (26-Apr) : Bum Phillips used to say there are two ways to get better. Get better players or get players to play better. We have a new DL coach

Zero2Cool (26-Apr) : Yes. Look at the losses last year. They can win.

beast (26-Apr) : Can Packers win with their current DL?

bboystyle (26-Apr) : waiting for a pass rusher.

dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd

dfosterf (25-Apr) : 3rd. Hate this phone

dfosterf (25-Apr) : 4rd

dfosterf (25-Apr) : 5 minutes in the 4

dfosterf (25-Apr) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round

Martha Careful (25-Apr) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening

Martha Careful (25-Apr) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.

Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : Losing 2nd round pick for a one year rental, not ideal. Especially a headcase.

TheKanataThrilla (25-Apr) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.

dfosterf (25-Apr) : No.Absolutely not

Zero2Cool (25-Apr) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

dhazer (25-Apr) : scenario: Our main prospects are off the board when our pick comes around, do we just throw a 2nd round pick at Pittsburgh for Pickens

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