Matthew Golden Fantasy Football Outlook 2025: Breakout WR?
After running the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine at 4.29 seconds, Matthew Golden‘s stock skyrocketed heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. To the point where some had the former Texas Longhorn being the first wide receiver drafted. Ultimately, he ended up being the third wide receiver off the board (behind Tetairoa McMillan and Emeka Egbuga – excluding Travis Hunter), going 23rd overall to the Green Bay Packers. Continue reading as we break down the Matthew Golden fantasy football outlook for 2025 and in dynasty leagues.
Matthew Golden Fantasy Football Outlook
Will Golden ascend to be the Packers’ WR1? Or will he add to the logjam of receivers on the team? Continue reading as we break down the fantasy football impact of Matthew Golden with the Green Bay Packers.
Matthew Golden Strengths
Speed, speed and more speed. As mentioned, Golden was the fastest receiver at this year’s combine. He is an explosive and dynamic receiver where he could break a big play at any moment. His speed makes him a dangerous deep threat that can take the top of the defense. Golden’s strengths go beyond his speed though as he is also a sharp and crisp route runner that enables him to create separation, especially in motion.
Matthew Golden Weaknesses
At 6’0 and 195 pounds, Golden’s slender frame makes it difficult for him to win contested catches. Defenders have an easier time knocking him off his routes or jamming him at the line of scrimmage. Additionally, Golden struggles with his run blocking and is easily shed by defenders.
Overall, Golden steps into a murky receiver situation in Green Bay. While it looks like Christian Watson may be out for an extended period of time, receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, and Tucker Kraft are all still on the roster and competing for targets along with Golden.
Matthew Golden Fantasy Football Outlook in 2025
Golden was drafted by a team in the Green Bay Packers in need of a WR1. His skillset is unmatched currently on the Packers roster. The opportunity is there for Golden to be “the guy,” but as I wrote in my 2025 Draft Rookie Winners and Losers, I am not confident that Golden can be that guy for this year.
Simply put, I cannot trust an offense led by Packers head coach Matt LaFleur who likes to spread the ball around. Last year three different receivers had just over 70 targets (Watson also had 53). Reed led the team with 857 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Reed only finished as the WR36 in average points per game (10.3) – not exactly alpha or WR1 like numbers.
Furthermore, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Golden have a few WR1 or WR2 performances this season. However, there is no way I am drafting him as such in a redraft league. Experts are currently ranking Golden as a WR3 or WR4, which seems fair for this upcoming season.
Matthew Golden Dynasty Outlook
From a dynasty lens, Golden’s future may be rosier than my outlook for him this upcoming season. Both Watson and Doubs are set to be free agents at the end of the 2025 season, leaving Golden and Reed as the two primary wide receivers, where Golden can line up and hopefully dominate on the outside and where Reed can navigate through the slot. Let’s hope that head coach Matt LaFleur gives his 2025 first-round pick a “Golden opportunity” and the volume to be the alpha wide receiver that the Packers desperately need.
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