Packers' Wide Receiver Matthew Golden - Photo by Green Bay Packers
GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The Green Bay Packers selected former Texas star wide receiver Matthew Golden during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night, and General Manager Brian Gutekunst took time to break down why the Packers decided to end their 22-year run of not selecting a wide receiver in the first round.
According to Gutekunst, the Packers believe Golden will fit into their locker room and their team’s culture really well, saying, “He’s fast. Really athletic. Excellent hands. And I just think he’s a Packer. He’s the kind of guy we want in our locker room; he’s going to fit in with our guys.”
“This guy has been through some things now in his young life and came 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 here.” Gutekunst continued.
Golden made 11 contested catches for Texas last season and only dropped four passes, according to PFF. Golden set the record for the fastest speed by a receiver at the NFL Scouting Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds, and Gutekunst spoke about how he and the Packers viewed Golden’s speed, saying, “He has elite speed. His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. He’s going to be a speed threat right away.”
According to PFF, Golden had a contested catch success rate of more than 60%, which is impressive for a receiver of his size at 5’11 and 191 lbs., with Gutekunst saying they viewed his hands as some of the best in the draft: “We thought arguably he had some of the best hands in the draft. Not only coming back to it, running through it, but when he tracked it over his shoulder too.”
The Packers are expected to address their needs on defense on Friday during rounds two and three, as they’re still in need of another cornerback and edge rusher. Green Bay’s upcoming picks will be 54th and 87th overall.
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