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The Green Bay Packers snapped their 23-year streak of not picking a wide receiver in the first round when they selected Matthew Golden out of Texas at No. 23 overall on Thursday night.
Golden is the first Packers' first-round receiver since Javon Walker in 2002. The speedy Texas playmaker caught nine touchdown passes in 2024 and then ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. Golden was also a pre-draft visitor to Green Bay.
Instant reactions to the Packers taking Golden at No. 23 overall:
With Tetarioa McMillan, Mykel Williams, Kenneth Grant, Shemar Stewart and Derrick Harmon off the board, a wide receiver at No. 23 made a lot of sense -- and the Packers pounced. Golden -- a top-15 player in the class for some and the No. 19 overall player on the consensus big board -- is a terrific fit in Green Bay and potentially great value at this point in the draft. He'll immediately bring a necessary speed element to Matt LaFleur's offense while also providing long-term stability and a potential No. 1 target at receiver for Jordan Love. Remember, Christian Watson is coming off a major injury, and both Watson and Romeo Doubs are heading into a contract year. Taking a receiver in the first round is a surprise given the team's history, but Golden -- a well-round pass-catcher with an elite trait -- makes a lot of sense here. He's going to be an instant contributor for Matt LaFleur, who will find plenty of ways to give Golden pre-snap motion and runways to make the most of his speed.
The Packers came into the draft needing to add speed and playmaking at receiver, so they killed two birds with one stone by drafting Golden. The Texas wideout projects to be a great fit in the offense. With Christian Watson set to miss a good chunk of next season with a knee injury, Golden can fill in as the vertical threat in 2025 and potentially beyond. He joins an already solid and deep receiver group, and hopefully, the added competition brings out the best in everyone.
A first-round wide receiver. The drought is over. A former track athlete, Golden brings a much-needed vertical presence to Green Bay's offense. He's more than just a deep threat though, he's a three-level threat and a crisp route runner. Jordan Love gets a new toy and the Packers may have their new No. 1 wide receiver.
In this wide receiver class, the Packers finally ending the wide receiver-less first round streak is a surprise, but Matthew Golden is a great pick. A smooth receiver who can provide value at all levels of the field and after the catch, Golden has 4.29 speed which should help replicate Christian Watson’s vertical threat in the short term, while providing a well-rounded skillset which will help Jordan Love for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Instant reactions to Packers selecting WR Matthew Golden in first round of 2025 draft
Continue reading...
Golden is the first Packers' first-round receiver since Javon Walker in 2002. The speedy Texas playmaker caught nine touchdown passes in 2024 and then ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. Golden was also a pre-draft visitor to Green Bay.
Instant reactions to the Packers taking Golden at No. 23 overall:
Zach Kruse
With Tetarioa McMillan, Mykel Williams, Kenneth Grant, Shemar Stewart and Derrick Harmon off the board, a wide receiver at No. 23 made a lot of sense -- and the Packers pounced. Golden -- a top-15 player in the class for some and the No. 19 overall player on the consensus big board -- is a terrific fit in Green Bay and potentially great value at this point in the draft. He'll immediately bring a necessary speed element to Matt LaFleur's offense while also providing long-term stability and a potential No. 1 target at receiver for Jordan Love. Remember, Christian Watson is coming off a major injury, and both Watson and Romeo Doubs are heading into a contract year. Taking a receiver in the first round is a surprise given the team's history, but Golden -- a well-round pass-catcher with an elite trait -- makes a lot of sense here. He's going to be an instant contributor for Matt LaFleur, who will find plenty of ways to give Golden pre-snap motion and runways to make the most of his speed.
Brandon Carwile
The Packers came into the draft needing to add speed and playmaking at receiver, so they killed two birds with one stone by drafting Golden. The Texas wideout projects to be a great fit in the offense. With Christian Watson set to miss a good chunk of next season with a knee injury, Golden can fill in as the vertical threat in 2025 and potentially beyond. He joins an already solid and deep receiver group, and hopefully, the added competition brings out the best in everyone.
Brennen Rupp
A first-round wide receiver. The drought is over. A former track athlete, Golden brings a much-needed vertical presence to Green Bay's offense. He's more than just a deep threat though, he's a three-level threat and a crisp route runner. Jordan Love gets a new toy and the Packers may have their new No. 1 wide receiver.
Mark Oldacres
In this wide receiver class, the Packers finally ending the wide receiver-less first round streak is a surprise, but Matthew Golden is a great pick. A smooth receiver who can provide value at all levels of the field and after the catch, Golden has 4.29 speed which should help replicate Christian Watson’s vertical threat in the short term, while providing a well-rounded skillset which will help Jordan Love for years to come.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Instant reactions to Packers selecting WR Matthew Golden in first round of 2025 draft
Continue reading...
