The Green Bay Packers didn’t need to see much from Matthew Golden to know they hit on their pick in this year’s 2025 NFL Draft. As the No. 23 overall pick he has shown some promise in the stages of his young career.
The Packers were conservative and held their rookie wideout out most of this preseason, keeping his snaps limited while the receiver room dealt with injuries.
But even in a small sample size, Golden made sure people noticed his production. His 39-yard grab Saturday was the highlight of his preseason. It was a reminder of the vertical threat he could bring to Matt LaFleur’s offense.
What really turned heads of the coaches and fans, however, were the flashes behind closed doors. Golden stood out in training camp and the joint practices against the Colts and Seahawks, showing polished route running and explosive acceleration against NFL-level defensive backs.
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Teammates and coaches alike have praised his ability to separate, a skill that could translate quickly once he’s fully unleashed.
The Packers were looking for a guy they can rely on for franchise quarterback Jordan Love, and for him to have a nice weapon to play alongside him in his tenure with the Packers. Golden brings a new dimension, being the type of deep-ball weapon who can stretch defenses and open up opportunities for Love underneath. He’s raw in some areas, but the upside is there.
If his August was giving any premonition on what he can become, it won’t take long before Golden becomes a staple in Green Bay’s passing attack this season and beyond. The preseason only offered glimpses. Turns out, they were enough to put the rest of the league on notice.
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Matthew Golden showed enough of a sneak peek to those that have seen him play that he can be effective at this level.
That might be a scary sight for the rest of the NFL. It looks like the fun is just getting started.
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