For the first time since selecting Javon Walker with the 20th overall pick in 2002, the Green Bay Packers went with a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, taking Texas Longhorns standout Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall.
While the selection undoubtedly upset Aaron Rodgers, who pined for a first-round wideout for years without ever getting his wish, Jordan Love has to be absolutely ecstatic with how things played out for the Packers in Round 1.
Because let's get real here. While Green Bay has a decent receiving corps, it's nowhere near elite.
Since Davante Adams was traded three years ago, Green Bay hasn't had a single wideout (or tight end) reach the 1,000-yard mark. In fact, only one has surpassed 800 yards, that being Jayden Reed, who recorded 857 this past season on 55 receptions.
Reed has actually been the team's top receiver the past two seasons, as he caught 64 passes for 793 yards during the 2023 campaign. That's solid and all, but those aren't WR1 numbers.
And once again on the side of getting real about things, Christian Watson, who's already set to miss a chunk of the upcoming season as he recovers from knee surgery, and Romeo Doubs, who was suspended for detrimental conduct and has had issues with concussions, aren't WR1 material.
Golden is, and that's obviously why the Packers broke a 23-year streak to take him.
Now, the Packers did add a wide receiver during free agency, bringing in six-year veteran Mecole Hardman. But that was purely a depth move at wideout, as he was seemingly signed more to handle kickoff and punt returns.
But as it turns out, Golden might just steal snaps from the former Chief on that end as well.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst says Matthew Golden could return kicks in addition to playing wide receiver
Hardman obviously has plenty of experience on special teams, returning 45 kickoffs for 1,073 yards and a touchdown during his career, while adding 89 punt returns for 819 yards and a score. So, it's easy to see why the Packers might want him in that role.
But with Golden and his 4.29 speed now on the roster, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst told the media that his new wideout has "special teams and return ability that could help us."
And he's certainly right about that. Over the course of his three-year college career, first with Houston and then with Texas, Golden returned 28 kickoffs for 722 yards and two touchdowns.
The good news for Hardman is that his new teammate never once served as a punt returner in college. So Mecole may keep his job there. But don't be surprised to see Golden attempt some of these dynamic kickoff returns come September.