The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Green Bay Packers will be without the big-play services of Christian Watson for the majority of the upcoming season. The former second-round pick and explosive playmaker tore his ACL during the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears and may not return to action until late in the 2025 campaign.
Matthew Golden is a player who could help replace Watson while he is on the sideline and potentially develop into the team’s No. 1 wide receiver. The Texas wide receiver checks in at No. 64 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A four-star recruit, Golden started his collegiate career at Houston. During his two seasons at Houston, Golden hauled in 76 receptions for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns.
During his lone season with the Longhorns, Golden recorded 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns.
“Golden was the one constant in the receiver room for Texas this season,” Joey Hickey, a contributing writer for Athlon Sports, said. “Isaiah Bond was expected to be the go-to receiver but had his injury issues. Golden stepped up and made big plays.”
Golden is a three-level threat and crisp route runner. He has smooth body movements in and out of his breaks. He has good feel for route tempo.
A former track athlete, Golden has the vertical speed to take the top off a defense and create explosive plays. He finds an extra gear downfield to create late separation on vertical routes and tracks the ball well.
The Texas wide receiver has outstanding body control and is comfortable making catches in traffic. He was tagged with four drops this past season and had 10 drops during his two seasons at Houston.
“Golden runs great routes but also has a strong grasp on identifying coverages and knowing how to manipulate the defense,” Hickey said. “He’s got great speed but he’s also a very precise route runner which makes him tough to defend.”
Golden doesn’t have to throttle down at the catch point and quickly turns upf field to create YAC. If he makes the first defender miss, he has the speed to make a housecall. According to Pro Football Focus, Golden picked up 303 yards after the catch this past season.
“Golden has good vision to go with his speed,” Hickey said. “A huge part of his initial impact in college football was as a kick returner at Houston before transferring to Texas. His ability to make defenders miss is one of his strengths.”
Golden was a special teams standout during his prep career and will provide immediate special teams value as a return specialist. During his two seasons at Houston he averaged 31.2 yards per kick return and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Fit with the Packers
The Packers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002, when they selected Javon Walker with the 20th overall pick.
Golden is a late first, early second-round target that could go in the same range that Watson did back in 2022, when the Packers traded up in the second round to get the NDSU product with the 34th overall pick.
If Golden is still on the board when the curtains close on the first round on Apri 24th, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst make a move up to snag the dynamic playmaker.
“Wide receivers aren’t often as selfless as Golden,” Hickey said. “He’s truly a team over self player, which makes it easy for a coach to want to get him the football. He has a good head on his shoulders. You can count on him not only to be available but produce. He’s caught six or more touchdowns in all three of his seasons in college football. The on field reliability paired with high character traits make him a great potential addition.”
A year ago at this time, the Packers had a promising wide receiver room. Fast forward a year and the shine has worn off a little.
Dontayvion Wicks struggled with drops, something that has plagued him since his Virginia days.
Jayden Reed started off his sophomore season with a bang, before cooling off and also getting the case of butterfingers.
Romeo Doubs suffered two concussions this past season and also had an isolated incident earlier in the season that caused the Packers to suspend the former Day 3 selection.
Gutekunst needs to make it a priority to add at least one if not two wide receivers to the mix this offseason. With his big-play ability, Golden could be an ideal target.