In 2024, the Arizona Cardinals drafted an elite wide receiver prospect in Marvin Harrison Jr. With the 2025 NFL Draft creeping ever closer, former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum laid out an aggressive plan for the Cardinals.
Former NFL GM Thinks the Cardinals Should Draft Matthew Golden
In his latest mock draft for ESPN, Tannenbaum has the Cardinals drafting Texas wide receiver prospect Matthew Golden in the first round. The Cardinals took the first non-quarterback off the board with the fourth overall pick in 2024. Harrison had an unspectacular rookie season, but Tannenbaum thinks that pairing him with another stud receiver will work wonders.
“Despite adding Marvin Harrison Jr. in the top five last April, Arizona was 16th in passing yards per attempt (7.1) and tied for 20th in touchdown catches (21) last season. Adding another blue-chip receiver to go with Harrison and tight end Trey McBride would take this offense to the next level.
Golden’s incredible timed speed (4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash) translates well to game play, and he is an excellent route runner with good hands. I think Golden has a chance to be a better pro than college player.”
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Golden turned heads at the NFL Combine with a blistering 4.29-second 40-yard dash. That time was the second-fastest of the week and the fastest of all wide receivers. 4.29 seconds would also have ranked second among all receivers at the 2024 NFL Draft, behind only the record-breaking Xavier Worthy.
Latest PFSN Mock Draft Sends Golden to Denver
The latest three-round mock draft from PFSN’s Owain Jones, though, sees the Cardinals passing on Golden. Instead, Arizona adds to its defensive line with “hulking” defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
“Kenneth Grant is a hulking nose tackle who possessed rare athleticism and movement. At 6’4″ and 331 pounds, the Michigan defensive tackle is an easy mover and can get across the line of scrimmage. Meanwhile, his brute strength overwhelms offensive linemen and creates instant pocket disruption.”
That allows the Denver Broncos to scoop up Golden four spots later. Jones disagrees with Tannenbaum about Golden’s on-field speed but cites his route running and body control as key strengths.
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“Matthew Golden easily creates separation, running crisp routes with his gliding movement and ability to turn direction on a dime. The Texas wide receiver doesn’t exactly translate his 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine into on-field speed. However, he has controlled pacing, clean hands, and incredible body control.”
Behind Courtland Sutton, Denver had four different receivers within ten targets of each other last season. Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and Troy Franklin all had between 45 and 55 targets in 2024, as all four failed to emerge from the pack. Having added key veterans in free agency, Denver can afford to take an upside shot on Golden.