08-05-2025
Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst Praises New Draftee
The Green Bay Packers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since 2002.
However, on Thursday evening, during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which is hosted in Green Bay, general manager Brian Gutekunst and the organization changed that.
Wide Receiver Matthew Golden of Texas poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and President/CEO of the Green Bay Packers Mark Murphy© Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Green Bay selected Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden.
Advertisement
Golden spent two seasons at the University of Houston before transferring to Texas. In his only season with the Longhorns, he led the team with 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
His two biggest games of the season came when the lights were brightest, putting up 162 yards on eight catches in the SEC Championship game against Georgia, as well as 149 yards and a touchdown on seven catches against Arizona State in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals.
When asked what traits stood out in Golden when the team evaluated him, Gutekunst did not hesitate in his answer.
"Authentic and genuine. This guy's been through some things now in his young life and come out the other side of it," Gutekunst said on Thursday night. "He knows who he is, he loves football, and I think he's going to be a great teammate around here."
Advertisement
Related: The Packers Should Strongly Consider Drafting This Wide Receiver Prospect
Green Bay ultimately valued Golden's ability to stretch the field vertically and become a reliable target for his quarterback above all else.
The 21-year-old posted a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine this year -- ranking as the fastest receiver time in the class and second-fastest overall prospect behind former Kentucky and newly drafted Buffalo Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who ran a 4.28.
'Obviously he (Golden) has elite speed. His ability to stretch the field outside the numbers is really, really important. And when you watch him, we thought he arguably had some of the best hands in the draft,' Gutekunst emphasized.
This was a much-needed acquisition after a season in which the team lacked consistent and reliable wide receiver play.
Advertisement
In the past, head coach Matt LaFleur has pointed out how much he loves to build up offensive momentum, eventually opening up the deep ball for Jordan Love. Golden will play a big part in both of those offensive elements.
While he has shown that he can win and thrive while playing in the slot, Golden's true ceiling will come on the outside.
'We certainly felt that he can play outside, and that was important to us,' Gutekunst added.
The question of who gets left out of this receiving group now comes up.
With Golden's skillset and capability of stretching the field, wide receiver Christian Watson may be the odd one out, considering that it has been his role in the offense as well, thus far.
Advertisement
Related: Packers Make Move on Ultra-Athletic Potential Body Guard for Jordan Love
