The Green Bay Packers have selected a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002, ending the 23-year drought.
A Historic First-Round Pick
As Mark Murphy headed to the podium, he started announcing the pick with, “For the first time since 2002…” Fans began to surge with excitement. Matthew Golden, wearing a sparkling black and gold suit, was drafted by the Green and Gold in their home city. And with his last name being Golden, this is truly a story written in the stars.
Golden’s Electrifying Introduction to Green Bay
As Golden took center stage on the podium to make his closing remarks to his now home crowd, he yelled, “It’s time, baby, I’m gonna bring that energy, and I’m glad to be here, it’s a blessing.” He then asks for the crowd’s help on a Green Bay breakdown. “Let me get a Green Bay on three, 1…2…3… Green Bay.” Reporters later mention that he will learn the Go Pack Go chant very soon.
This historic pick is especially significant when reflecting on Green Bay’s past approach to drafting receivers. Although the Packers have been reliable when drafting a receiver after the first round in years past. Gutekunst drafted Christian Watson in 2022 and Jayden Reed in 2023. Both in the second round. The previous GM for the Packers, Ted Thompson, used second-round picks on receivers Greg Jennings in 2006, Jordy Nelson in 2008, Randall Cobb in 2011, and Davante Adams in 2014.
Golden’s Collegiate Resume and Combine Performance
Golden was listed as one of the top offensive playmakers in this year’s draft. He had exceeded expectations and delivered a breakout final season at Texas that boosted his draft stock significantly. Through three college seasons at Houston and Texas, Golden recorded 134 receptions, 1,975 yards, and 22 touchdowns. In Golden’s last year at Texas, he had recorded 58 receptions for 987 yards and 9 touchdowns to help lead the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Standing at 5 ’11, 191 pounds, Golden is outside of the eyes for teams that would prefer a bigger and stronger receiver. Although Golden may not be the biggest or strongest, his size hasn’t proven to be an issue thanks to his speed, playmaking ability, and versatility. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash time that was recorded amongst all receivers at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, recording a time of 4.29 seconds.
Fitting into the Packers’ Offense
While adding such a versatile player and pairing him with arguably one of the best play callers in the NFL, Matt LaFleur, it may not be a sight that defenses want to see. With Golden being a terrific athlete and very quick, he is a perfect fit for an offense that would like to deploy him into different formations and alignments. Having done this before with now third-year receiver Jayden Reed, adding another weapon of this caliber can create all sorts of chaos on the defensive end for opposing teams.
Last season, the Packers struggled offensively to reach their full potential. This was largely due to a lack of consistency from the wide receivers. The Packers had a drop rate of 6.9% last season and dropped 33 passes, which ranked them second for the highest drop rate in the NFL.
The addition of Matthew Golden will provide comfort and a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Golden’s drop rate alone in his last season at Texas had plummeted to roughly 6%. Having that drop rate percentage and being a dynamic vertical weapon in the Packers offense will surely make it a headache for opposing defenses. Golden’s addition gives this Packers offense another gear – and perhaps the missing spark that they have been waiting for.
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