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Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst used the 23rd overall pick on Texas receiver Matthew Golden during Thursday night's first round.
Following the pick, the franchise's first at receiver in the first round since 2002, Gutekunst took questions inside Lambeau Field.
Here are some of the highlights from Gutekunst's post-first round press conference:
-- On picking Golden: "He's a very gifted athlete, gifted football player, but he's also wired exactly how we want our guys in the locker room."
-- Gutekunst said Golden, who stands 5-11, is just above the "Mendoza line" for size for an outside receiver.
-- On playing on the perimeter: "Obviously he has elite speed. His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. And when you watch him, we thought he arguably had some of the best hands in the draft. Not only coming back to it and running through it, but when he tracked it over his shoulder. He's a strong athlete. He's really versatile, he's going to do a lot of things, but we thought he could play outside, and that was important to us."
-- On Golden's personality: "Authentic and genuine. This guy has been through some things now in his young life, come out the other side of it. He knows who he is. He loves football. And I think he's going to be a great teammate around him."
-- "This kid wants to be great, he wants to win. He's been chasing this thing. He's had adversity in his life and he's come out the other side of it... he's going to really work hard at it to be the best he can be."
-- Gutekunst believes Golden can come in and contribute right away in a good receiver room. Also thinks he has return ability that can "help" the Packers in 2025.
-- "He catches the ball extremely well." Said it was evident on game tape and at his pro day in Texas.
-- "His best football is ahead of him. He has a lot of room for growth."
-- Said it took a few games for him to get comfortable at Texas. Once they leaned into him as a top target, his production took off.
-- Gutekunst confirmed a few teams were calling about trading up to No. 23 but the Packers didn't want to risk moving back and losing a player they wanted. "We got a good player we all really wanted."
-- On playing at big football programs: Consistently facing NFL-caliber opponents helps. Also helps to consistently be fighting for a job at a school with top recruits coming in every year.
-- Gutekunst said he thinks Golden can return punts and kicks. "I do think he'll help us there."
-- On what he brings right away: "He's going to be a speed threat right away. Covering him from a man perspective is going to be tough on teams." Said he can get open fast against man. Confident in his hands, too. "Gotta catch it, and he has such good hands. For me, that was a big part of it."
-- "I think it was a really good night for the Packers...I think you guys are going to like him as you get to know him."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers GM Brian Gutekunst talks selecting Texas WR Matthew Golden in first round
Continue reading...
Following the pick, the franchise's first at receiver in the first round since 2002, Gutekunst took questions inside Lambeau Field.
Here are some of the highlights from Gutekunst's post-first round press conference:
-- On picking Golden: "He's a very gifted athlete, gifted football player, but he's also wired exactly how we want our guys in the locker room."
-- Gutekunst said Golden, who stands 5-11, is just above the "Mendoza line" for size for an outside receiver.
-- On playing on the perimeter: "Obviously he has elite speed. His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. And when you watch him, we thought he arguably had some of the best hands in the draft. Not only coming back to it and running through it, but when he tracked it over his shoulder. He's a strong athlete. He's really versatile, he's going to do a lot of things, but we thought he could play outside, and that was important to us."
-- On Golden's personality: "Authentic and genuine. This guy has been through some things now in his young life, come out the other side of it. He knows who he is. He loves football. And I think he's going to be a great teammate around him."
-- "This kid wants to be great, he wants to win. He's been chasing this thing. He's had adversity in his life and he's come out the other side of it... he's going to really work hard at it to be the best he can be."
-- Gutekunst believes Golden can come in and contribute right away in a good receiver room. Also thinks he has return ability that can "help" the Packers in 2025.
-- "He catches the ball extremely well." Said it was evident on game tape and at his pro day in Texas.
-- "His best football is ahead of him. He has a lot of room for growth."
-- Said it took a few games for him to get comfortable at Texas. Once they leaned into him as a top target, his production took off.
-- Gutekunst confirmed a few teams were calling about trading up to No. 23 but the Packers didn't want to risk moving back and losing a player they wanted. "We got a good player we all really wanted."
-- On playing at big football programs: Consistently facing NFL-caliber opponents helps. Also helps to consistently be fighting for a job at a school with top recruits coming in every year.
-- Gutekunst said he thinks Golden can return punts and kicks. "I do think he'll help us there."
-- On what he brings right away: "He's going to be a speed threat right away. Covering him from a man perspective is going to be tough on teams." Said he can get open fast against man. Confident in his hands, too. "Gotta catch it, and he has such good hands. For me, that was a big part of it."
-- "I think it was a really good night for the Packers...I think you guys are going to like him as you get to know him."
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers GM Brian Gutekunst talks selecting Texas WR Matthew Golden in first round
Continue reading...
