The Green Bay Packers kept the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and for the first time since 2002, they selected a wide receiver. The Packers selected Matthew Golden out of Texas. Here are ten things we learned from the first day of the Packers 2025 NFL Draft:
Ten Things We Learned from Day One of the Packers 2025 NFL Draft, Number One: Speed Is Part of Golden’s Game
The Packers added some speed to their receiving corps with Golden. He was timed at 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. While he may not always play to that fast a number, Golden has the ability to get deep and can run with almost anybody on the field.
With Christian Watson likely out for at least half the season, Golden will give the Packers a deep threat who can stretch the field and that defenses must respect.
Number Two: Golden Is Versatile
Golden has the versatility the Packers love. He can play both on the boundary and in the slot. During his one season with the Longhorns, he played 76.1 percent of his snaps outside and 23.9 percent of his snaps in the slot.
This will give Matt LaFleur options with Golden and Jayden Reed both available to line up in different spots in the formation at any given time.
Ten Things We Learned from Day One of the Packers 2025 NFL Draft, Number Three: Golden Can Return Kicks
In addition to catching passes, Golden was a dangerous kick returner in college. In 2023, he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. One went for 100 yards and the other from 98 yards.
During his three years in college, Golden returned 28 kicks for 722 yards and the two scores. He averaged 25.8 yards per kick return.
Number Four: Golden Went to Two Colleges in Three Years
Golden only played one season at Texas. While there, he caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games.
His first two collegiate seasons were with the University of Houston where he had 13 touchdown catches over those two campaigns.
Golden elected to come out for the NFL draft this year and passed up his senior season. He is still 21 years old and won’t turn 22 until August 1st.
Ten Things We Learned from Day One of the Packers 2025 NFL Draft, Number Five: Golden Has Dealt with Some Injuries
Golden played 16 games for Texas last season. But in his two years with Houston, he did miss time due to some injuries. A rib injury forced him to miss two games as a freshman in 2022. The following year, turf toe caused him to miss the final three games of the season. He did need surgery to repair the turf toe injury but was ready to start the following season.
Number Six: He Has a Favorite Pattern
Golden loves to run the 14-yard curl pattern. He sets up defenders well and then breaks back to the football.
One thing Packers fans will appreciate is he has different moves in his repertoire which he uses to keep cornerbacks off-balance.
He seems to do his best on short and long routes but struggles a little bit at intermediate pass patterns.
Ten Things We Learned from Day One of the Packers 2025 NFL Draft, Number Seven: Golden Also Ran Track
Golden was an outstanding track athlete in high school. He was part of a relay team that won his district championship in 2021. He competed in events like the long jump, 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash.
His best time in the 100 meters was 10.93 seconds.
Number Eight: Golden Ends a Long Drought for the Packers
The last time the Packers chose a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft was in 2002 when they took Javon Walker. Walker played four seasons with the Packers before finishing his NFL career with the Broncos and Raiders.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2004 after catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns from Brett Favre.
This is also the first time the Packers took offensive players in the first round in back-to-back drafts since 2010 and 2011 when they took offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod in the first round.
Ten Things We Learned from Day One of the Packers 2025 NFL Draft, Number Nine: Will Johnson Was Still on the Board
One player many draft experts thought would be an ideal candidate for the Packers was cornerback Will Johnson out of Michigan. If the Packers part ways with Jaire Alexander, Johnson would have been a good replacement. He was not selected in the first round and remains on the board heading into day two.
Last year, the Packers also passed on a defensive back in round one with Cooper DeJean who a lot of experts thought they might take.
Number 10: The Packers Still Have Needs to Fill
The Packers still have several needs to fill on day two of the draft with just two picks to fill them. It remains to be seen if Alexander is traded or if GM Brian Gutekunst trades back to add more day two picks.
The Packers still need help along the defensive line, at cornerback, and on the offensive line. We’ll see how Gute handles day two of the draft as it continues in Green Bay tomorrow night.
Friday should be a very eventful and interesting day for the Packers.
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