Packers hosting Texas WR Matthew Golden on official pre-draft visit
Packers hosting Texas WR Matthew Golden on official pre-draft visit
The Green Bay Packers are hosting Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden on an official pre-draft visit ahead of the 2025 NFL draft, according to Bill Huber of SI.com. Golden posted a story on his Instagram account showing him flying into Green Bay on Thursday night, suggesting the visit is set for Friday.
Every team is allowed to host up to 30 prospects on visits before the draft. It appears the Packers will use one of their 30 on a speedy playmaker.
Golden (5-11, 191) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds, the fastest time by a receiver at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Houston transfer caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns across 16 games with Texas last season. Over three collegiate seasons, Golden caught 22 touchdown passes and returned two kickoffs for touchdowns.
Golden is currently the No. 19 overall player on the consensus big board, suggesting the Packers -- who hold the No. 23 overall pick -- would have to use a first-round pick to acquire him later this month.
Golden was excellent in big games for Texas last season, producing 162 yards against Georgia in the SEC title game and 149 yards against Arizona State in the College Football Players quarterfinals -- both wins for the Longhorns.
"Golden's starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future," Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote of Golden in his draft profile.
Could the Packers break an over two-decade run without taking a first-round receiver by taking Golden at No. 23 overall? The team will have a full evaluation profile on Golden after attending the Texas pro day and bringing Golden to Green Bay for a visit.
The Packers certainly have a need at receiver, where Christian Watson is recovering from a torn ACL and is entering a contract year, Romeo Doubs is coming off a season with two concussions and a bizarre one-game suspension, and both Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks struggled to finish catches. A draft pick at receiver could be needed to help charge up the passing game in 2025 and stabilize the position in 2026 and beyond.
Golden was the No. 64 player on Brennen Rupp's "Unpacking Future Packers" draft preview series at Packers Wire.
Packers Wire's full tracker of the team's 30 pre-draft visits can be found here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel: Jonnu Smith trade rumors 'complicated if you allow it to be'
MIAMI GARDENS -- Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel met with reporters before another OTA workout. Highlights: -- On the Jonnu Smith situation, with Smith seeking a raise and the team having held talks, according to reports: "It's complicated if you allow it to be." But McDaniel tries to focus as much as possible on the football side vs. the business side. Advertisement -- McDaniel acknowledges Smith, a tight end, is very important to the offense. Says Smith has been in the facility. -- On if he expects Smith to be on the team this season: "I haven't really considered anything other than I want Jonnu on the team. I think he wants to be here." -- McDaniel says he has been pleased with the turnout for "voluntary" workouts, adding that you wouldn't know by looking over the practice fields that it has been voluntary. -- McDaniel credits RT Austin Jackson with "hearing the label" people attached to him early in his career and working through it, proving people wrong. Advertisement TRADE WINDS? Dolphins trading Jalen Ramsey? Everything you need to know -- On RB Jaylen Wright: Says Wright "benefited tremendously by coming in the league in a crowded room" last year. During exit meetings, McDaniel stressed the need "to communicate non-verbally to me for his hunger for an increased role. ... I can see him following through with that." -- On LT Patrick Paul: Says he sees not just room for growth, but actual growth in Year 2. McDaniel says having retired LT Terron Armstead around during offseason workouts "is a huge accelerator" in Paul's development. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins speaks to the media during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) -- On where this team is and whether it's rebuilding: "We are trying to maximize our opportunity and we have a good amount of young players that are very, very focused." Advertisement --On if the Dolphins players are getting a lift by watching the success of the Florida Panthers in the NHL playoffs: "Just in general, the elimination games really capture professional athletes. ... I think the Florida Panthers as an organization have done an unbelievable job of creating a situation where 'we've been here before.' ... There's nothing more motivating than watching people who are sacrificing hard-earned monthly income" supporting the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. JOE SCHAD: Mike McDaniel open to changes, including at practice This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel on Jonnu Smith's importance in the offense
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jordan Love Taps Emerging Packers Weapon For Major 2025 Role
Jordan Love Taps Emerging Packers Weapon For Major 2025 Role originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Green Bay Packers ranked as a top-10 offense last year in EPA per play, per pass, and rush, even though Jordan Love dealt with knee and groin injuries. Additionally, the receivers struggled to get open against man coverage and hold onto the ball, which did not help either. Still, the entire group needs to improve significantly if the Packers want a real shot at competing for a Super Bowl in 2025. Advertisement 'To me all those guys understand, they're competitive. As we've gone through, we have conversations about what we need to improve on,' Packers receiver coach Ryan Mahaffey said this offseason. "Those guys have an understanding that hey, when my number's called, I want to put myself in a position to be able to go out and help my team, they're naturally competitive. They take a lot of ownership in that, and I think we've got an intrinsically motivated group." Green Bay should be hopeful their receiving corps can bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season. Still, the passing game could soon have a new top target, as Jordan Love is eager to get his starting tight end more involved. Green Bay Packers TE Tucker Kraft (85) is tackled by Miami Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson (11) after a short reception© Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Love mentioned that Tucker Kraft will be a key focus of the offense moving forward. Advertisement "A big part of going into this season is finding ways to continue getting Tuck the ball. Get him as many touches as we can in a game," Love said, per the Packers Wire's Zach Kruse. "He's a dynamic playmaker. That's going to be a focus." Kraft caught 50 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He played 97% of the snaps in the Packers' 22-10 Wild Card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, even though it was Luke Musgrave's fourth game back from injury. He was one of the most reliable playmakers in Green Bay's offense in 2024, and his workload should only increase going forward. The Packers have a sense of urgency to compete for a championship in 2025, and for Kraft, that means becoming the best version of himself to help elevate Jordan Love and the rest of the offense. If all goes to plan, he should see plenty of targets and let his talent take care of the rest. Advertisement Related: Former Packers $21 Million Star Named Potential Replacement For Jaire Alexander This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Packers Announce Sudden Death of Beloved Legend Eddie Garcia
Packers Announce Sudden Death of Beloved Legend Eddie Garcia originally appeared on Athlon Sports. He only played two seasons with the Green Bay Packers, but his impact has persevered well past his playing days. Advertisement Drafted by the Packers in the 10th round of the 1982 NFL Draft, kicker Eddie Garcia's career was cut short by a hamstring injury, prompting a transition into a career in marketing and sales that eventually brought him back to the Packers organization as a board member. On Tuesday, June 10, the Packers announced that Garcia had passed away on June 5. He was 65. The cause of death was not disclosed in Garcia's obituary, published originally by The Green Bay Gazette, but it did say his death was unexpected. "His sudden departure leaves a lasting void for his family, but they are comforted in knowing he is at peace in heaven with his loved ones who departed before him," the obituary states. Advertisement As the senior director of Oshkosh Corporation's Oshkosh Defense division, Garcia facilitated the Packers Military Appreciation Game sponsorship as a way to honor service members and veterans. "It was often joked that Eddie could sell ice to a penguin in relation to his sales talents, but at the end of the day he was most proud to build relationships with our country's active duty military, forming many lasting friendships along the way," the obituary states. Outside of work, Garcia "loved to travel the world, and then relax in Florida during the cold winters with his wife of 40 years and partner in adventure, Jill," the obituary said. Related: Packers Honor Mason Crosby With Powerful 8-Word Tribute Related: Packers Attempted To Trade Two-Time All-Pro To AFC Powerhouse This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
