NFL News: Packers rookie Matthew Golden makes splash in first practice
The Green Bay Packers finally selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft when they called former Texas star Matthew Golden's name at No. 23 overall in April.
Golden, whose calling card is speed, is expected to provide a field-stretching option for quarterback Jordan Love this season.
"Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity," NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote during the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. "His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future."
During the Packers' training camp practice on Wednesday, Golden made his presence felt.
Golden snagged an eight-yard slant from QB Malik Willis for a touchdown, proving that he's more than just a third-level threat.
The first-rounder lined up with the Packers' second team on Wednesday, but he's expected to emerge as a starter by the time the regular season rolls around.
"I think he's definitely not afraid of hard work. He cares about the game. He's going to put the time in and he's going to be dedicated," coach Matt LaFleur said of Golden. "It'll be great to watch him, when we get the pads on, when we practice with other teams, when we get to preseason games. There's a lot of competition in that room. Those guys are going to have to fight for all those opportunities."
