The Los Angeles Chargers had a heartbreaking end to their season. In his first season with the team, head coach Jim Harbaugh took them to the playoffs for just the second time in Justin Herbert’s career, but the excitement quickly vanished.
Suffering an embarrassing collapse, the Chargers were blown out by the Houston Texans, ending their season 32-12. They finished 17th in PFSN’s Offense+ metric and need offensive firepower if they intend to overcome their struggles. Thus, one PFSN analyst predicts Los Angeles will pick Matthew Golden in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles Chargers Projected To Pick Matthew Golden in 2025 NFL Draft
While rookie receiver Ladd McConkey was impressive for the Chragers in 2024, registering 1,149 receiving yards, Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer had middling seasons, and it ultimately haunted them in the playoffs. Without a true threat beyond McConkey, the offense sputtered, and Herbert coughed up four interceptions en route to a career-worst passer rating of 40.9 against the Texans.
Throughout the year, Harbaugh employed a more conservative offensive approach, focusing on building a fun-first attack. However, multiple analysts believe that the Chargers’ best course of action is to rely heavily on the passing ability of their quarterback, which they pivoted to down the home stretch.
To fully achieve that, Los Angeles must give Herbert more than McConkey, and that’s why PFSN’s latest seven-round mock draft by Ben Rolfe projects they could pick Texas Longhorns Matthew Golden at No. 22 in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“The Los Angeles Chargers’ offense finished the season ranked 17th in 2024, and a lack of reliable weapons was a big part of the reason. Ladd McConkey is very good at what he does, but the Chargers need an outside threat to complement him. Matthew Golden could fill that role nicely for the Chargers in 2025 and beyond.
“Golden is an explosive wide receiver and has the potential to impact the game in a multitude of ways. He has all the speed and agility you could ask for and combines that with crisp route running, excellent hands, good ball-tracking skills, and the ability to win contested-catch situations. His biggest knock is run blocking, but as an outside receiver in this system, that should be a relatively minor issue.”
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Golden transferred to Texas after two seasons in Houston and posted 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. Earlier in his two seasons with Houston, he caught 38 passes each in 2022 and 2023, totaling 584 and 404 yards, respectively.
Matthew Golden is a highlight machine.
His draft stock has exploded, averaging 95 yards per game in the last 6 games.
He displays awesome burst, speed, and body control as a route runner and pass catcher. Creates easy separation.
He will likely be a day 2 pick in April. pic.twitter.com/ISsWAxtkJE
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) January 13, 2025
Golden is known for his nuanced route running and consistent ability to finish. He tracks the ball incredibly well in the air, which was evidenced against Georgia and Arizona State. Golden’s ability to contort his frame mid-air and finish with an eye on the sideline further proves his prowess as a downfield threat. He would serve as a strong WR2 for the Chargers alongside McConkey.