The Green Bay Packers ended their long-running first-round receiver drought last year when they selected Texas wideout Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The moment generated a roar from the overwhelmingly Packers-leaning crowd gathered in Green Bay, as it was the franchise’s first first-round investment at the position since taking Javon Walker in 2002.
Matthew Golden’s Draft Review
Team president Mark Murphy announced the pick to thunderous cheers. General manager Brian Gutekunst said that the Green Bay Packers viewed Matthew Golden as too talented to pass up. Trade discussions were on the table, but the team remained firm on the Texas playmaker, according to ESPN.
Golden arrived at Texas by way of Houston, where he spent the first two seasons of his college career. His breakout came in 2024 with the Texas Longhorns, when he posted 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 58 receptions, averaging over 17 yards per catch. That performance nearly doubled his yardage from his first two seasons combined. Across three collegiate years, Golden totaled 1,975 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 134 catches.
During the NFL Scouting Combine, Golden ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time among all receivers and the second-fastest of the entire event. While scouts noted that his in-game speed doesn’t always replicate that number, they consistently praised his acceleration off the line, ability to separate, and knack for making difficult catches.
At 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, Golden combines compact strength with fluid movement, tracking deep balls well and finishing through contact. Golden also contributed on special teams, returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in college.
While the Packers have had success drafting receivers in the second and third rounds over the years in Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Christian Watson, and Jayden Reed, among them, they had avoided Round 1 for more than two decades.
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The Packers later signed Golden to his rookie contract, a four-year deal projected to be worth $17.58 million, with a $9.42 million signing bonus and a fifth-year option. His 2025 cap hit is just under $3.2 million, with more than $10 million paid out during his first season.
However, Golden’s rookie season has not gone as planned. He finished the regular season with 29 receptions for 361 yards and no touchdowns on 44 targets.
PFSN’s WR Impact Metric gives him a score of 74.7 with a C grade and ranks 47th among all wide receivers in the league.
Green Bay Packers’ Stats and Insights for Wild Card Round
Team: The Packers have won 13 of their last 15 games in Chicago. In Week 16, the Packers had a 10-point lead at the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. The Bears tied the game and went on to win in overtime.
Playoffs: Matt LaFleur is 3-5 career in the postseason. Green Bay has scored at least 28 points in the three wins and 21 or fewer in four of the five losses.
QB: Jordan Love posted a QBi of 91.3 (A-) in his first postseason game against the Dallas Cowboys in the 2023 Wild Card round. Love has graded at a C level in his two other postseason starts.
OFF: The Packers committed six turnovers in the last five games after having seven in the first 12 games.
DEF: Green Bay received DEFi grades of C (Week 14) and C- (Week 16) against Chicago this season. The Packers had a D+ or worse in three of the final six games.
