A heartbreaking playoff loss emphasized the issues plaguing the Los Angeles Chargers last season. On the back of the best-scoring defense in the NFL, they were able to secure the second playoff appearance of Justin Herbert’s career. However, a relatively simple offense couldn’t keep up, and an embarrassing postseason showing spelled the end of L.A.’s year.
Now, to recover, the Chargers need to bring additional weapons into the fold to give Herbert some more help, and one analyst predicts they will draft Texas WR Matthew Golden, who has 22 career touchdowns to his name.
Chargers Projected To Pick “Explosive” Receiving Threat In 2025 NFL Draft
While rookie receiver Ladd McConkey was impressive for the Chargers 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 their quarterback’s passing ability, which they pivoted to down the home stretch.
To fully achieve that, Los Angeles must give Herbert more than McConkey and that’s why NFL analyst Sam Farmer projects the Chargers will select Golden as the 22nd overall pick.
“Never hurts to bolster the arsenal for Justin Herbert. Golden is explosive and versatile,” he explained.
PFNS’s Feb. 17 seven-round mock draft by Ben Rolfe also predicted the same, arguing that Golden could fill the role of an outside threat alongside McConkey.
“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.”
Golden posted 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season with the Texas Longhorns in 2024. He had racked up 38 catches each in 2022 and 2023 with Houston, totaling 584 and 404 yards, respectively, before transferring to Texas.
PFSN’s Latest Mock Draft Projection For Chargers and Golden
In PFSN’s latest seven-round mock draft by Joe DeLeone, the Chargers are also picking a wide receiver, but he is Arizona Wildcats’ Tetairoa McMillan.
“Ladd McConkey was electric in his rookie season, but Quentin Johnston hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he was supposed to develop into. With no ties to the current front office and coaching staff, finding his replacement could be an early focus for the Chargers. Tetairoa McMillan’s contested catch dominance combined with McConkey’s slot elusiveness would make for a quality receiving core.”
Meanwhile, Golden is predicted to drop to the second round and get picked by the Las Vegas Raiders as the 37th overall pick.
“After finding the quarterback of their future, it’s time to find him targets outside of Brock Bowers. Matthew Golden is the most well-rounded receiver prospect in the class, displaying consistent hands, efficient route running, and impact after the catch.”