Matthew Golden's name has come up regularly as a potential Green Bay Packers draft target. The team met with the Texas wide receiver earlier in the offseason, and he would undoubtedly add game-changing speed to Matt LaFleur's offense.
Christian Watson will miss time this season as he recovers from a torn ACL, while his long-term Packers future is uncertain, with his contract expiring in less than a year.
Golden's show-stealing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine improved his draft stock, and any hopes of him falling to the Packers' pick at No. 23 have potentially disappeared.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer believes Golden could be the first wide receiver (outside of Travis Hunter) to hear his name called in the first round.
Look out for the Dallas Cowboys. They hosted Golden for a pre-draft visit, and according to Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS, the Texas star is a "legitimate option at 12 to pair with CeeDee Lamb." Golden posted a picture of himself with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
As one door potentially closes for the Packers, another opens.
Cowboys targeting Matthew Golden could actually help the Packers' wide receiver search
The Packers could also target a wide receiver in the first round, with rumored interest in Golden and Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka.
While Golden would add speed to the Packers' offense and ensure they can stretch defenses vertically, Egbuka is the better all-around receiver. Dallas taking Golden could also push Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan down the board. In his report, Breer added that if Golden is the first receiver domino to fall (after Hunter), McMillan might still be on the board "when the playoff teams are picking."
McMillan would be a home-run addition to the Packers' offense. He has the size they covet (6-foot-4 and 219 pounds) and catches everything. Just as importantly for Green Bay, McMillan dominated against man coverage, an area the offense struggled without Watson. The Arizona product earned an elite Pro Football Focus receiving grade of 89.1 against man coverage.
For a while, it felt like the Packers' only path to landing McMillan would come via a draft-day trade. Dallas' interest in Golden might change that.
If McMillan is gone, Egbuka would be another incredible addition to the Packers' offense. His name is repeatedly being connected to Green Bay, including in Mel Kiper's latest mock draft.
The Packers met with Egbuka, who is arguably the most pro-ready receiver in the class. He is a phenomenal route-runner, dominated in the Ohio State offense, and has drawn comparisons to former teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who became a Pro Bowler with the Seattle Seahawks last season.
Golden has plenty to offer a Green Bay offense that lacks speed without Watson, but McMillan and Egbuka would provide everything Jordan Love needs from a go-to target.
If the Cowboys' interest results in them taking Golden at No. 12, the Packers' chances of landing McMillan or Egbuka would increase dramatically, either at No. 23 or by one of them falling into reasonable trade-up range.
It will make it all the more crushing when Brian Gutekunst stays put and drafts a tackle.