First Round Pick #23 - Matthew Golden WR - Texas

[tynimiller]

I noted this a week or so ago, but Golden's fit with the Packers reminds me of Ricky Pearsall's fit with the 49ers.

Both are offenses that prioritize run-blocking across all positions. Pearsall is the same weight as Golden despite being a couple inches taller. His skillset is similar to Golden's and Shanahan used him effectively despite not being a big, burly blocker.

Yup, agree. Everyone remembers how MVS came in and blocking was not his strength but by the end of his time here he was a solid one, as long as Golden can grow there he’ll be fine

 

[gopkrs]

Yeah. Like MVS.
I have higher expectations than a good blocker

 

[tynimiller]

Yeah. Like MVS.
I have higher expectations than a good blocker

Golden at worse is elite MVS, I think he will be more but that’s a pretty solid consolation if not.

Like I’ve laid out how crazy good MVS would have been with just a ten point swing in completion percentage his figures…I think Golden can absolutely be that

 

[gopkrs]

As far as blocking. I think we'd be better off giving more thought in our linemen being better blockers than our receivers. I hope we are changing in that direction. For too long we only thought in term of pass protection for the O Line. Anyway, happy with the pick and looking forward to the rest of the draft and the season.

 

[tynimiller]

As far as blocking. I think we'd be better off giving more thought in our linemen being better blockers than our receivers. I hope we are changing in that direction. For too long we only thought in term of pass protection for the O Line. Anyway, happy with the pick and looking forward to the rest of the draft and the season.

You do realize it is a responsibility they have on a large amount of their snaps correct?

It isn’t a massive thing to hold against a prospect by any means but it is an incredibly important item to be able to execute because if you have WRs that can block those are typically the guys turning those 6-7 yard runs that break into the second level into 15 plus yard runs.

 

[DoURant]

Matthew Golden has chosen his #

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[gopkrs]

I can't think of a great 81 for The Pack. Was Marv Feming 81? He was in a bunch of Superbowls. Not saying that qualifies. Well, about time for one then

 

[DoURant]

I can't think of a great 81 for The Pack. Was Marv Feming 81? He was in a bunch of Superbowls. Not saying that qualifies. Well, about time for one then

Desmond Howard

 

[gopkrs]

Desmond Howard

Just thought of him. But really a special teams guy. What a game though!

 

[tynimiller]

Howard and Fleming came to my mind

 

[Schultz]

My top 2 OT guys are still out there. Spoke to soon.

 

[DoURant]

Just thought of him. But really a special teams guy. What a game though!

Golden is a KR too... Of course Howard wasn't the greatest WR.

Old School guy....TE Rich McGeorge

 

[Schultz]

Trapilo, Turner, Revel IMO would be nice at 54.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Curious to know what others think. Had this draft taken place in another City, would Golden still have been the Packers pick at #23?

I mentioned this quite a while ago, that Gluten would stay in round 1 because the draft was in GB. I think it was Ty who replied that Gluten wouldn't let the fact that the draft was in GB affect an otherwise sound decision for the team (trading back and out of round 1).

I'm sure it crossed his mind and that of Murphy. I think now if he had a trade back deal he really liked while on the clock, he'd have taken it. But Golden's name had come up quite a bit as a likely mock to GB, and WR was on the needs list. Finally, Golden was the BPA at #23 imo and he would not have dropped much farther. So there were very good reasons, in addition to the draft being in GB, for him to make that pick.

Another way to look at it is - if the draft had been anywhere else and the board fell exactly the same, does Gluten draft Golden at #23? I think the answer is yes.

It's a good question Poker. And the real answer is that we'll never know for sure.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If you're talking about today, I think it's Ersery, Belton, and Savaiinaea.

Good call on Belton. 6'6" and 350 plus pounds. He is not gonna get pushed back into the QB.

 

[Heyjoe4]

So Houston runs a unique style and Golden wanted out because he was betting on himself and was sick of being restricted there. In truth had he been at Texas two years and did what he did in 2024 that concern would be less.

His lack of proven production, his route tree not really shining until very late in 2024 to me and how easy he is brought down it seems were a few limiting factors for me.

He was still a consensus top 5 in his position from everyone I know and some even had as their #2

Good call on Higgins. He was drafted 34th overall. It will be interesting to see how his career and Golden's career play out.

 

[tynimiller]

Good call on Belton. 6'6" and 350 plus pounds. He is not gonna get pushed back into the QB.

I don’t know where had him that big but that isn’t the number he measured at senior and combine. He is big for sure but that is not right

 

[Heyjoe4]

I don’t know where had him that big but that isn’t the number he measured at senior and combine. He is big for sure but that is not right

You're right. I read today he is 336 lbs. That's more like it. Still a massive person. (How does a 20 y/o get that big? I'm just guessing at his age, but even if he is older, that's just unreal.)

Gluten stuck with his board last night. He bought a lot of insurance for the OL and WR groups. I trust that there just wasn't value for him at the other positions of need.

Still one day left. Hope he finds some value at DL, Edge and CB. Williams was an interesting pick. At least by measurable - close to 6'4", 220 lbs, and a good 40 time - he will be a prospect to watch. He'll get more chances than most rookies given Watson's status.

 

[milani]

Watson is not always a great route runner. He is very fast but sometimes he looks like a klutz. I am hoping they can use Golden to force the defense to protect for the long one and Love can go underneath or dump off to Dillon.

You know I meant Jacobs. But I keep seeing Rodgers dumping it to Dillon.

 

[gopkrs]

You know I meant Jacobs. But I keep seeing Rodgers dumping it to Dillon.

I had thought you were trying to make some sort of comment.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Love what Texas HC Steve Sarkisian had to say about Golden.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Matthew Golden: 'Green Bay is going to love him'

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Packers first-round pick Matthew Golden: "Green Bay is going to love him"

packerswire.usatoday.com

 

[Thirteen Below]

Love what Texas HC Steve Sarkisian had to say about Golden.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Matthew Golden: 'Green Bay is going to love him'

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Packers first-round pick Matthew Golden: "Green Bay is going to love him"

packerswire.usatoday.com

a lot of the intangible, non-measurable, "read between the lines" attributes like worth ethic, attitude, focus, discipline, etc add up to explain why Gute didn't want to risk losing him. These are all the things Gutekunst goes goo-goo-eyed over.

I like this analysis of Golden, as well. 5 draft "experts" were asked by SI to rank him as a prospect and analyze his characteristics. Of the 5, 2 of them ranked him the #1 WR in the class, 2 more ranked him #2, and the PFF draft gueu ranked him #4.

Grading the Packers’ Draft: Texas WR Matthew Golden

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers used their first-round draft pick on receiver Matthew Golden on Thursday night, a realization that the team would have a

www.si.com

And here's some film of him, for those who haven't seen him play...

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[Heyjoe4]

You know I meant Jacobs. But I keep seeing Rodgers dumping it to Dillon.

No worries Milani. At least you're using last names or I'd be totally confused.

Back to your point, Watson is not a great route runner. I did notice some improvement last year. His biggest problem is his unreliability - from injuries to catching the ball, and to a lesser degree, route running. He always looks like he's right on the brink of fulfilling all of the promise he has, and then something happens. It's a shame - the guys has all the physical tools of a great WR.

In fairness it may just be a long run of bad luck. And I hope he returns early this year, given his injury.

And I agree with your point on how Golden can be used. Before Watson gets back, he can establish himself as the long threat every time he lines up. When Watson returns, they both pose that risk, so MLF and Love will have more options on pass plays.

 

[Heyjoe4]

a lot of the intangible, non-measurable, "read between the lines" attributes like worth ethic, attitude, focus, discipline, etc add up to explain why Gute didn't want to risk losing him. These are all the things Gutekunst goes goo-goo-eyed over.

I like this analysis of Golden, as well. 5 draft "experts" were asked by SI to rank him as a prospect and analyze his characteristics. Of the 5, 2 of them ranked him the #1 WR in the class, 2 more ranked him #2, and the PFF draft gueu ranked him #4.

Grading the Packers’ Draft: Texas WR Matthew Golden

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers used their first-round draft pick on receiver Matthew Golden on Thursday night, a realization that the team would have a

www.si.com

And here's some film of him, for those who haven't seen him play...

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Thanks to you and Poker for the additional info on Golden. I was happy to see McMillan go so early, as I think he was the third best WR in the draft, behind Golden and Egukba (sp?).

As for having a high work ethic, that almost always pays off - in sports and in other aspects of life. It's a great and overlooked trait. Hell these guys are barely into their 20s and getting big money and a lot of attention. It's easy to enjoy the high life, and dangerous. Some let that go to their heads, and the results aren't good.

Anyway I like the pick. Hope he and the Packers have a great year.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Love what Texas HC Steve Sarkisian had to say about Golden.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Matthew Golden: 'Green Bay is going to love him'

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian on Packers first-round pick Matthew Golden: "Green Bay is going to love him"

packerswire.usatoday.com

This is good stuff. The point that stood out to me was when Sarkisian said Golden came from an "air raid" offense to a more balanced offense in Texas. Yeah, there is glamour in playing for a program like Texas, but players still need to fit in.

Sounds like Golden has done all that and more.