Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden came into the 2025 season with a lot of hype, being the first wide receiver drafted by the team in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. Through two games, Golden hasn't done much to satisfy the hype of fantasy managers, with just two receptions for 16 yards combined in his first two NFL games. That said, Golden has been the recipient of several deep throws from quarterback Jordan Love that have just missed being huge plays. We'd be talking about Golden much favorably if those plays had gone the other way. Still, fantasy managers won't get points for almost scoring or almost catching the ball. One good sign for Golden is that his routes per dropback have risen from 57 percent in Week 1 to 68 percent in Week 2, so the Packers are getting him on the field a bit more. In Week 3, the Packers head east to play the Cleveland Browns, where Golden could get on track to deliver some fantasy value. However, until we see it, he's got to be left on fantasy benches in the majority of fantasy formats.
Sep 16, 2025 12:23 PM EST
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (ankle) was a limited participant on Monday with an ankle injury, but put in two full practices to come off the injury report as the Packers host the Commanders in Week 2. Golden caught both of his targets for 16 yards on a day where the Packers' passing game wasn't too busy in their 27-13 victory over the Lions. Quarterback Jordan Love only needed 22 pass attempts to dispatch Detroit, and it was more of the same dating back to the post-bye Packers from 2024 as they opted to run the ball more than pass. The lack of passing volume from Green Bay hampers the upside of some of the passing game's weapons, like Golden. That said, Golden does have massive upside in this offense, and the Packers spent a first-round pick on his services, so Golden's offensive involvement will increase game by game. For fantasy, consider Golden an upside-laden flex play for Week 2.
Sep 10, 2025 5:23 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden (ankle) was upgraded from a limited practice participant on Monday's estimated injury report to full on Tuesday. Meanwhile, fellow wideout Dontayvion Wicks (calf) was listed as limited for a second straight day. The 22-year-old appears to be dealing with a minor ankle issue after the team's Week 1 win over the Detroit Lions, but he should be able to play on a short week on Thursday night in his second NFL game against the Washington Commanders. Golden got nothing but rave reviews during training camp and the preseason, only to disappoint in his debut on Sunday against Detroit. The Texas product caught both of his targets for only 16 yards. Despite his quiet debut, Golden should be considered an upside WR4/flex option against the Commanders in prime time on Thursday.
Sep 9, 2025 6:38 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden has done nothing but impress since the team selected him in the first round out of Texas in April. "Phenomenal," one team source said of Golden's presence. "Makes a wow play every day." The 22-year-old is already listed as a starter on Green Bay's depth chart, and the Packers "aren't hiding their affection for him." Although the Packers will use plenty of two-tight end sets, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Golden's "talent looks undeniable." With Jayden Reed (foot) up in the air to play in Week 1 against the division-rival Detroit Lions this Sunday, Golden could be a big part of Green Bay's passing attack right away, putting him in the WR3/flex conversation immediately in fantasy. Dontayvion Wicks and Savion Williams have also been banged up, giving Golden a clear path to opportunity.
Sep 4, 2025 1:08 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden is listed as a starter on the team's depth chart, according to Zach Jacobson of 247 Sports. Golden was selected in the opening round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Texas. Throughout camp, Golden has received positive buzz and has already begun to establish a strong connection with quarterback Jordan Love. In addition, wide receivers Jayden Reed (foot) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf) have been dealing with lingering injuries, which have provided Golden ample opportunities with the starting lineup. Golden appears to have impressed the coaching staff enough to earn a spot with the first team. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Reed's and Wicks's status leading up to Week 1. If either wideout is unable to play, Golden could be in store for a massive target share in their season opener against the Detroit Lions.
Sep 2, 2025 4:35 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden had a "tremendous camp," according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Additionally, Howe writes that it "might not be all that shocking if (Golden) quickly becomes quarterback Jordan Love's go-to wide receiver." Golden may see even more opportunities early in 2025 with fellow Packers wideouts Christian Watson (knee) starting the year on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list and Jayden Reed (foot) battling a Jones fracture in his left foot. Golden is the first wide receiver the Packers have selected in the first round since 2002, so the organization clearly believes in his talent. The 22-year-old profiles as a high-upside WR3/4 in redraft fantasy leagues.
Aug 29, 2025 10:31 AM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden could be in store for an increase in opportunities in the Green Bay passing attack. According to Jason Wilde, Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot) is dealing with a Jones fracture in his left foot. While this injury is quite common in athletics, it often requires surgery. However, Reed is opting to play through it and plans to be ready for the season opener. However, Reed could be given a strict snaps count to improve his health and could even be at high risk of suffering a setback. If this occurs, Golden could be given ample opportunities, operating as the clear WR1 in the offense. The Packers selected Golden in the first round of April's draft out of Texas. During his final season in college, he totaled a career-best 987 with an SEC-leading nine touchdowns. Given his potential opportunities, Golden is worth viewing as a high-end WR3 in all formats.
Aug 28, 2025 4:25 PM EST
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden hauled in a 39-yard strike on two targets from starting quarterback Malik Willis in the Packers' 20-7 victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Golden, the Packers' first-round pick this past April, had to adjust and come back to the ball a little bit, but made a nice adjustment downfield to secure the longest reception of the day for both teams. The Packers' intent on selecting Golden in the first round signals a big role for the talented rookie out of Texas, and fantasy managers agree. Golden has been a mid-round upside staple in an offense that looks to generate more offense through the air this season than last season's iteration. Could Golden be the next fantasy find like last season's Ladd McConkey and Brian Thomas Jr.? Golden certainly has that level of upside as a WR3 in fantasy drafts.
Aug 23, 2025 7:56 PM EST
Zach Kruse of The Packers Wire writes that he hasn't heard the entirety of the Green Bay Packers organization "talk about a rookie like they have with wide receiver Matthew Golden in a long time." Kruse says that everytime someone is asked about Golden, it's some variation of, "Yeah, he's good, and he's only scratching the surface of his potential." It's looking more and more like the 22-year-old from Texas will be a key contributor through the air for the Packers offense right away in 2025. There will be more opportunity with Christian Watson (knee) expected to begin the year on the PUP list, and Jayden Reed (foot) could also be up in the air for Week 1. Golden has been practicing with the first-team offense since early in training camp and has gained valuable chemistry with quarterback Jordan Love. The speedy rookie is already in the conversation as a weekly WR4/flex in 2025.
Aug 13, 2025 2:19 PM EST
Andy Herman of 105.7 The Fan, Milwaukee, notes that Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden made a few highlight receptions in Monday's practice, catching difficult passes "with ease." The former Texas Longhorn has garnered a good amount of praise during the lead-up to the regular season, and the news of fellow wideout Jayden Reed's (foot) injury makes this wide receiver room that much more up for grabs. The rookie offers Green Bay an explosive, field-flipping element they've desired for some time now. If he can seize his opportunity early on, Golden should be in store for a useful fantasy season. He's going just inside the top 100 currently in drafts, slotted directly in front of Reed at No. 98 in overall ADP. That disparity will grow if the latter's ailment lingers.
Aug 11, 2025 3:44 PM EST
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden got his first snaps in the team's first preseason game on Saturday night against the New York Jets. Golden caught Jordan Love's only completed pass on a seven-yard slant in the team's second offensive series. Later in the drive, Golden was targeted again by Love but the play was nullified by a defensive penalty. That lone catch would be the only contribution Golden would make as his night was done following the second series. Drafted with the 23rd overall pick, Golden was the Packers' first wide receiver selected in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. Golden brings some much-needed juice to the Packers and looks to carve an early niche in this receiver corps. Given the ambiguous nature of the current crop of Packers' pass-catchers. Golden has massive upside for fantasy as a WR4 option in fantasy drafts.
Aug 10, 2025 12:24 AM EST
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden has "some of the most natural hands" that he's ever been around and that Golden has been "outstanding" in training camp, according to Zach Jacobson of 247Sports. The Packers used a first-round pick on Golden in the 2025 draft. He's part of a deep wide receiver room in Green Bay that includes established contributors like Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs, but lacks a true superstar WR1. Reed (foot) was also seen wearing a walking boot during the team's preseason game on Saturday, although he's considered to be day-to-day with a sprained foot. Based on how LaFleur is speaking about Golden, it appears the 22-year-old could be in line for a large role in the Green Bay offense early in his rookie season.
Aug 9, 2025 11:39 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden continues to run with the first-team offense in two-receiver sets in training camp practices. Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks have been sidelined at camp with minor injuries, but Golden's presence in two-receiver sets is notable nonetheless, especially with Christian Watson (knee) expected to begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. It's still a crowded receiver room in Green Bay with Reed, Wicks and Romeo Doubs, but the 22-year-old Golden brings 4.29-second 40-yard dash speed to an offense with a young and ascending quarterback in Jordan Love at the helm. At the very least in his rookie season, Golden should serve as the team's primary deep threat until Watson returns, making him an intriguing WR4/flex candidate right away.
Aug 5, 2025 1:12 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden has looked the part so far in training camp, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Golden's hands (he's not a body-catcher) and his determination to be great have stood out so far, per Fowler. A person with the team pointed out Golden hadn't dropped a pass through the first week-plus of camp and he connected on a 60-yard deep pass earlier in the week. The 22-year-old first-rounder is competing for playing time right away in his first year in the NFL in what is now a crowded receiver room in Green Bay. But with Christian Watson (knee) likely to miss a good chunk of the 2025 season, Golden should have a key role in the Packers' passing attack this season. Golden's speed should serve him well and at least make him worth a WR4/5 flier later in fantasy drafts this fall.
Aug 4, 2025 12:22 PM EST
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden was being used in multiple different fashions during the team's training camp practice on Friday, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today. Wood notes that Golden was "doing a lot of pre-snap motions" and broke a jet sweep for a gain of 20-plus yards along the left sideline. A first-round draft pick out of Texas, Golden was utilized exclusively as a receiver in college. However, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has shown a willingness to get the ball in the hands of wideouts like Jayden Reed and Christian Watson in unconventional manners in the past. It's a good sign for Golden that he appears to be a focus of the offense this early in camp. Green Bay has a deep receiver room, but there's opportunity for the rookie to emerge as the true go-to target for quarterback Jordan Love.
Jul 25, 2025 3:10 PM EST
ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes that Green Bay Packers rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden appears set for a significant role on offense with the likes of Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks with Christian Watson (knee) still rehabbing from ACL surgery. Golden might not be an immediate starter, but he got plenty of run with the starters during offseason workouts and caught quarterback Jordan Love's eye quickly. "I think from the get-go, from Day 1 when he got here, he's showcased kind of just the versatility he has running routes, the speed he has and his ability to catch," Love said. The 21-year-old is a burner who caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas in 2024. It remains to be seen if he'll see enough targets to be in contention for a weekly fantasy lineup spot, but his overall upside as a potential deep threat with Watson sidelined is enough to make him an attractive late-round flier in redraft leagues.
Jun 27, 2025 12:18 PM EST
The Green Bay Packers announced on Monday that they signed first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden to his four-year rookie deal, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst. Golden will receive a fully-guaranteed $17.57 million with a signing bonus of $9.42 million, according to OverTheCap.com. The Packers took the 21-year-old pass-catcher in the first round at the end of April, the first time they had taken a receiver in the first round since 2002. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas in 2024. Golden should play right away in Green Bay, especially with Christian Watson (knee) potentially out for half the season. He will primarily be a field-stretcher for the Packers and could be a boom/bust fantasy commodity in his first NFL campaign in a wideout corps that also includes Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks.
May 19, 2025 10:07 PM EST
The Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden on a four-year, $17.57 million contract. Green Bay spent the No. 23 overall pick on the Texas alum, making him the first first-round wideout since the franchise selected Javon Walker in the first round of 2002. With the contract, he becomes the highest-paid Packers WR. The depth of Green Bay's wide receiver room is one of the most noteworthy knocks against him, but Golden brings something to the table that the other pass-catchers don't, and that's his blazing speed. The 21-year-old makes for an intriguing addition to the team's roster as a deep threat and should get an opportunity to play right away. However, it isn't easy to project significant volume coming his way. Even if he works to the top of the pecking order in the WR corps, the Packers have made it clear they'd like to establish the run -- bolstering the third-lowest pass rate in the NFL in 2024. Golden could prove to be an effective weapon for Jordan Love in the passing game, but the spread-it-around ways of the Packers' offense won't do him any favors.
May 14, 2025 7:57 PM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
