1st Round (23rd Overall) WR Matthew Golden

Zero2Cool
Elite Member Topic Starter

22 hours 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

20 hours ago

I'm shocked

bboystyle
Member

20 hours 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

20 hours 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

20 hours 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

20 hours 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

19 hours 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

19 hours 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

15 hours 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

12 hours 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

dfosterf (1h) : 5 minutes between picks in the 3rd

dfosterf (1h) : 3rd. Hate this phone

dfosterf (1h) : 4rd

dfosterf (1h) : 5 minutes in the 4

dfosterf (1h) : 7 minutes between picks in the 2nd round

Martha Careful (1h) : Sorry to bitch, but the headline writers in that section absolutely mislead, or don't know how to read. It is maddening

Martha Careful (1h) : No thanks. Not a dependable guy to be in the right place and run the right route. Dumb as a box of rocks.

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

TheKanataThrilla (2h) : Pickens for Jaire may be interesting. Definitely not sure we want Pickens long term.

dfosterf (3h) : No.Absolutely not

Zero2Cool (3h) : NO NO NO NO NO NO!!1 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

dhazer (3h) : 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

TheKanataThrilla (3h) : Hopefully she had some comfort that her son will be live his dream when she passed away. Sad news.

Mucky Tundra (4h) : Damn that sucks

Zero2Cool (4h) : News about Derrick Harmon mom, saddening.

Zero2Cool (5h) : Mark Murphy: "I predict we will trade up once and down twice."

beast (7h) : Rip the Packers and getting the fans yelling and booing him

beast (7h) : Super competitive Bears fan and WWE "superstar" wrestler, Seth Rollins is supposed to announce a Bears pick and absolutely rip Packers

packerfanoutwest (20h) : Golden

beast (21h) : I want DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon

Mucky Tundra (22h) : And I can't be looking at my phone

Mucky Tundra (22h) : Hey I'm at work lol

Zero2Cool (23h) : btw, new site chat won't delete auto like

Zero2Cool (23h) : because everyone left like wimps

TheKanataThrilla (23h) : I am wondering if there is some type of autoclear when there isn't activity after a certain amount of time.

Mucky Tundra (24-Apr) : What happened in the chat? Me and Zero posted a few things earlier and they're all gone

dfosterf (24-Apr) : 10-15 min bs plus flyover

dfosterf (24-Apr) : Yes

Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : 7pm is when this kicks off????

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : I told him. IT'S VONTE MACK , no matter what!

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : He asked me who I thought The Browns were taking.

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : 2. Would of had to wear Browns gear all week. NOPE I'll watch from my living room.

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : He wanted to know if I would go. 2 things, would have had to fly from Detroit to Green Bay. Nope

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : All expense paid trip to the draft. He will be in the Browns section. I told him to say hi to J-10VE for me 😃😃i

buckeyepackfan (24-Apr) : For a call from my nephew, he won an sllexp

TheKanataThrilla (24-Apr) : Hope to see everyone in the Chat tonight!!! Go Pack Go!!!

TheKanataThrilla (24-Apr) : Jeanty would be a great pick-up for the Bears. I see Warren mocked to them as well who I think would be a great selection.

Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : GameDay Chat is open. Posting bits an tids in there.

Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : Excellent Source: The Bears have a deal in place to move up to 5 if Jeanty is there.

Zero2Cool (24-Apr) : Probably not until 10pm will be making pick

dfosterf (24-Apr) : But it is still not tonight. Lol

wpr (24-Apr) : Today is finally here.

dfosterf (24-Apr) : I should have put it in quotes

dfosterf (24-Apr) : It is the title of a you tube video.

dfosterf (24-Apr) : I'm not assuming anything

beast (24-Apr) : If they aren't doing it, then why are you assuming they know how to do it?

dfosterf (23-Apr) : Mackelvie

dfosterf (23-Apr) : Michael Macelvie- NFL teams know how to draft- Why don"t they?

dfosterf (23-Apr) : Youtube

Zero2Cool (23-Apr) : Packers were not selected for the 2025 Hall of Fame game.

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