The 2025 NFL Draft delivered some intriguing storylines, but few were more surprising than Matthew Golden’s selection by the Green Bay Packers at pick No. 23. The Packers hadn’t selected a receiver in the first round since 2002, making Golden’s landing spot one worth examining for fantasy managers. With blazing 4.29 speed and a promising college career, let’s break down what fantasy managers need to know about this explosive wide receiver.
Landing Spot
Golden’s landing spot in Green Bay could be perfect for his skillset. Golden has a chance to become an actual No. 1 receiver with the Packers — an opportunity he wouldn’t have had with most teams. The Packers were already looking to add to their receiver room due to Christian Watson’s ACL tear in January, and now Golden steps into a situation where he could see significant targets right away.
The offense, led by quarterback Jordan Love, showed significant improvement in the second half of 2024, ranking in the top 10 in scoring. The Packers lack an actual number one wide receiver, which could allow Golden to step into that role. With veteran Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs as primary competition, Golden’s elite speed could create immediate separation from this group and carve out a prominent role in year one.
Upside
Golden’s fantasy ceiling is sky-high, literally. Golden’s 4.29 40-time was tops at the 2025 NFL Combine, making him one of the fastest players in the draft class. His college production backed up that speed, as he averaged an impressive 17.0 yards per catch during his standout season at Texas.
The truly exciting part for fantasy managers is Golden’s touchdown potential. His high-end zone target rate could also translate to a lot of touchdowns as a rookie. At Texas, he led the team in receiving yards (987) and touchdowns (9), showing strong red zone involvement. With a skilled quarterback like Love who can spread the field, Golden’s speed creates natural mismatches that could result in big plays and scoring opportunities.
As a first-round pick, Golden likely commands immediate opportunity, and history shows us that highly-drafted receivers often produce fantasy relevance quickly. Consider that players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, George Pickens, and Chris Olave all provided fantasy value as rookies despite varying draft capital – Golden’s first-round pedigree suggests even higher floor potential.
Concerns
While the upside is tantalizing, fantasy managers should be aware of several concerns before reaching too early for Golden in drafts. Perhaps the biggest question mark is his route-running development. While his route running and timing need refinement, he has historically relied more on his speed than polished routes to create separation.
There’s also the historical concern with speed receivers struggling to translate their athleticism to NFL success. Four of the eight WRs who have run a 4.30 or better at the combine prior to this year were selected in the first round: Xavier Worthy, John Ross, Henry Ruggs, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, and while Worthy has shown promise, the others are considered significant draft busts.
Golden’s college production, while impressive at Texas, raised some questions. He posted 1.6 yards per route run in the regular season, fifth among Texas’s top six wide receivers. This suggests he may have been more of a boom-or-bust deep threat than a consistently productive receiver at the college level.
Finally, there’s the typical rookie learning curve. Adjusting to NFL speed, complexity of schemes, and professional cornering could limit Golden’s early-season production while he gets acclimated to the pros.
Fantasy Football Bottom Line
Matthew Golden represents one of the more polarizing wide receiver prospects in the 2025 rookie class. His elite speed and first-round landing spot with the Packers give him immediate fantasy relevance, particularly in best ball formats where consistency matters less than spike weeks.
In standard leagues, Golden profiles as a late-round flier with significant upside potential. His market price will likely be inflated due to his draft capital and athletic testing, so it’s important not to overdraft him ahead of more polished route runners or proven producers. However, if he develops quickly and Love can utilize his speed effectively, Golden could emerge as a league-winner by season’s end.
For dynasty leagues, Golden warrants consideration as a mid-to-late second-round rookie pick, with the potential to rocket up boards if he starts strong. His speed never gets old, and he landed in a situation where he could grow into a true WR1 role over the next few seasons.
Remember, in fantasy football, speed kills – and Matthew Golden has it in abundance. Just temper expectations for immediate dominance while recognizing the potential for explosive weeks from the start of his career.
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