After two years with the Houston Cougars and one season with the Texas Longhorns, wideout Matthew Golden declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Clad in a black and gold(en) suit, Golden was the only Longhorn in attendance at the Draft this year and waited anxiously for his name to be called, and then it happened. Just like that, Golden was the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, breaking a shocking streak for the Green Bay Packers.
Not only were the Packers hosting the draft, but Green Bay had only drafted one wide receiver in the first round over the last 43 years, last picking Javon Walker in 2002 after not selecting a wideout in the first round since 1988.
To put it simply, Green Bay fans (also known as the franchise owners) who were in attendance and at home lost their minds over the selection.
No trade: The #Packers stick at No. 23 and take #Texas WR Matthew Golden, the speedster.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2025
A rare WR for Green Bay in the first round. Never though I'd see it! The crowd reaction was wild.
The streak is over: The #Packers have drafted a first-round receiver, selecting Texas speedster Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 25, 2025
It's the first Round 1 receiver for Green Bay since 2002, when they took Javon Walker. Matthew Golden was born in 2003.
After being drafted, Golden couldn't express how grateful he was for the position he found himself in during the first round of the NFL Draft. With his family in attendance, ESPN's Molly McGrath told them that they now get to call the city of Green Bay home.
"I can't thank God enough... Whatever the team needs me to do, that's what I'm gonna do," Golden said. "I'm bringing that dog mentality."
Matthew Golden measureables
- 6-foot-0
- 195 pounds
- 40-yard dash: 4.29 seconds
Only weighing in at 195 pounds and standing just 6 feet tall, Golden is slightly undersized, but he makes up for it with his lightning-quick speed and innate ability to find the ball, no matter where it is around him.
Matthew Golden college career stats
- 134 receptions
- 1,975 receiving yards
- 22 receiving touchdowns
Golden transferred to Texas after starting his collegiate career with the Houston Cougars. While playing his singular season for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns, Golden truly excelled, setting career highs in receptions (58), receiving yards (987), and receiving touchdowns (9).
Wide receivers selected before Matthew Golden in the 2025 NFL Draft
- Travis Hunter - Jacksonville Jaguars - 2nd pick (CB/WR)
- Tetairoa McMillan - Carolina Panthers - 8th pick
- Emeka Egbuka - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 19th pick
Golden was the fourth receiver picked in the draft, including Colorado's two-way player, Travis Hunter. Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan and Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka were also selected earlier in the round than Golden.