The Green Bay Packers spent the 23rd pick of the 2025 NFL Draft on Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, eliciting a massive cheer from the tens of thousands of Packers fans in attendance in Green Bay on Thursday night, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports. Golden represents their first top pick used on the position since 2002, when they selected Florida State's Javon Walker 20th overall.

A Houston native, Golden began his college career playing for the Cougars before transferring to Texas to lead the Longhorns in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2024. Golden generated 1,957 yards and 22 touchdowns on 134 catches in three collegiate campaigns. In his lone season in Austin, Golden generated 987 yards, nearly doubling his total output from the previous two seasons (988), on 58 grabs with nine TDs, averaging 17.02 yards per catch.

Boasting graceful speed, Golden burned a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. The sprint showcased his upside, although most scouts agree that his game film doesn't play to that speed. What his film shows is a superior athlete who gets off the line smoothly, uses a burst to create separation from cornerbacks and can make highlight-reel snags.

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