Who Should I Start? Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Matthew Golden

Thursday, June 11, 4:32 PM

On the first day of mandatory minicamp on Thursday, Green Bay Packers second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden lined up across from Christian Watson in a two-receiver set, according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Golden came into the NFL last year with high expectations after the Packers selected him 23rd overall out of the University of Texas. The 22-year-old was then hyped up plenty during training camp and the preseason, only to disappoint in his rookie campaign in a crowded receiving corps in Green Bay. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (five starts). Golden is trending back up again this spring, and he'll have a much bigger opportunity to carve out a consistent role in the passing attack now that Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are out of town. Watson is the team's clear WR1 with big-play ability, and the Packers also still have the versatile Jayden Reed, but both wideouts have dealt with their fair share of injuries early in their careers. Even if both Watson and Reed stay on the field, Golden will be a popular Year 2 breakout candidate. He can be had at a discount, too, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 51 fantasy WR for the 2026 season.