The Green Bay Packers could have used the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select a cornerback or pass rusher to aid what looks like a somewhat stagnant defense, but they chose instead to get the best wide receiver on the board by selecting Texas standout and recent riser Matthew Golden.
The common, but also accurate, narrative surrounding Green Bay's wide receiver room of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson is that the Packers have a bunch of solid complementary wide receivers, but lack a true top dog. Golden might be the one who changes all of that.
The electric Golden is coming into Green Bay with a great deal of hype for a No. 23 pick, much of which is actually externally driven. Quotes from those around the league make it sound like the Packers have landed someone who could have a seriously transformative effect on the shape of their offense.
One NFL executive, per Mike Sando of The Athletic, said that Golden was an even better receiver than consensus WR1 and new Panthers No. 8 overall pick Tetairoa McMillan. Another called him "their best receiver right now" and believes that he is also better than McMillan. Not bad for a No. 23 pick.
NFL executives believe Packers' Matthew Golden is better than Tetairoa McMillan
Golden doesn't have McMillan's size or impressive body control in the air, but he is much faster and better at getting separation at the line of scrimmage. Golden should have no trouble emerging as one of Jordan Love's favorite targets without too much of a learning curve.
Expect Golden to immediately earn a spot in Green Bay's base offense alongside Reed, with Doubs likely emerging as the No. 3 wide receiver. This will leave former second-round pick Watson fighting with another rookie in Savion Williams and Dontayvion Wicks for targets and snaps.
The Packers likely won't be too concerned about minimizing Watson's role and making Golden an even bigger part of what they are doing offensively. His ability to stretch the field and turn a screen pass into a 60-yard play will make him the type of wideout Love hasn't had throughout his career.
Golden has some serious sizzle as he makes his entrance into the Green Bay lexicon. Considering the gulf in quarterback play between Love and Bryce Young, don't be surprised if Golden ends his rookie season with more catches and yards than McMillan has in Carolina.