The Green Bay Packers finally ended their 23-year drought of selecting wide receivers in the first round when they chose Matthew Golden from Texas at No. 23 overall.
Golden marks the first receiver taken by the franchise in the opening round since Javon Walker in 2002, and his early showings suggest he was worth the wait.
During a recent rookie reaction test, Golden demonstrated remarkable abilities that validated the selection.
He maintained laser focus throughout most of the drill, tracking each flag with precision.
“Matthew Golden has ELITE reaction skills. The Packers drafted a future WR1,” noted Dov Kleiman.
Matthew Golden has ELITE reaction skills 😱
The Packers drafted a future WR1. pic.twitter.com/9TOkh2Z41U
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 18, 2025
His only misstep came at the very end when he prematurely concluded the test after the second-to-last flag, turning away and missing the final drop. Despite this small error, his overall performance left a strong impression.
At just 21 years old, Golden brings both youth and substantial experience to Green Bay.
His collegiate career spans 36 games across three seasons, including eight starts as a true freshman at Houston before transferring to Texas where he started every contest last season.
Golden consistently delivered when stakes were highest, rushing for over 100 yards against powerhouse Georgia in the SEC Championship and repeating the feat versus Arizona State during the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
His blend of youth and proven performance aligns perfectly with the Packers’ talent evaluation philosophy.
His athletic prowess became undeniable at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where Golden clocked a blistering 4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
The recently circulating video showcasing his reaction skills only adds to the excitement surrounding his potential.
As the Packers look to inject speed and precision into their passing attack, Golden offers both in abundance with his exceptional quickness and focus that could prove game-changing.
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