The Green Bay Packers need a big step forward from wide receiver Matthew Golden, but that is far from a sure thing. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports listed the most pressing year two questions for the 2025 draft class and noted that Golden is one of the more unknown propositions.
It is easy for Packers fans to look at the positive when it comes to Matthew Golden. He is a former first-round pick, and when the team drafted him, the thought was that he was not going to produce right away. He was entering a wide receiver room with Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, so the Packers could slow-play him as a rookie and watch him ascend in year two.
Golden flashed just enough in the Packers playoff to leave a good taste in fans mouths as he heads into an offseason that saw Doubs and Wicks depart. Things are trending for him just as Green Bay would have projected last year.
Green Bay Packers Need More From Matthew Golden
Packers dratfed Matthew Golden in round 1
Even though he is in the position that Packers fans thought he would, he did not get there in the manner that fans thought. While he was not expected to get on the field early, the Packers lost Watson and Reed to injuries throughout the year. So, the receiving room was not as deep as intended.
Golden saw the field a good bit, and did not produce. He averaged 1.53 yards per route run in his first year. This is not bust-worthy, but it is not productive enough. That is with the 84-yard playoff performance included. In the regular season, Golden averaged 1.35 yards per route run. For comparison, Watson was at 2.28, Doubs was at 1.86, Reed was at 1.67, and Wicks was at 1.39. If Golden wants to be trusted, he is going to need to be a lot closer to the 1.86 or higher range, which is a big step up in efficiency.
Lastly, most receivers drafted in the range that Golden was drafted in and do not produce at least 500 yards typically do not end up being highly productive in the NFL. Even the plan was to sit them; usually, when someone gets drafted this high, they are either too good, and the plans change, or the light might not click for them.
Matthew Golden Fits Packers’ Receiving Corps Well
The Packers really need a good season from Golden. While they have Watson and Reed, both are coming off of injuries, and both are better at being highly efficient role players more than leaders of a passing attack.
Watson is a big-play threat who lives and dies with deep balls. He cannot consistently win that way, though. Reed is best in the slot, and he gets the ball in his hands to create big plays. Things have to be schemed for these two.
When the attention shifts to someone else, it is a lot easier to let these two do what they do best. Golden has to be the one to separate on his own and make life easier for his teammates.
Questions Emerge for Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden