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Peter Schrager's one and only mock draft for ESPN -- based on what he's hearing from sources around the NFL -- has the Green Bay Packers taking Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden at No. 23 overall in the first round.
While he admits the Packers could "go in several directions" in the first round, Schrager says Golden -- who broke out as a big-time producer down the stretch for Texas last season -- is the top receiver on the board for many teams.
"I know it's out of character for Green Bay to take a receiver in Round 1 -- they haven't done it since 2002 -- but in this scenario, Golden could slide right to them," Schrager wrote. "And I can't see him sliding much more. Green Bay could go in several directions. I doubt anyone thought the Packers could get the consensus top wideout on many boards, though."
Schrager has the Packers taking Golden over Josh Simmons, Will Johnson and Shemar Stewart, who were all picked after No. 23 in his mock draft. Golden was the third receiver off the board, following Tetairoa McMillan to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19 and Emeka Egbuka to the Denver Broncos at No. 20.
Golden (5-10, 191) averaged over 100 receiving yards per game over the Longhorns' final four games, including the team's playoff run, and then ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds -- the fastest time by a receiver at the combine. He finished his one and only season at Texas with 58 catches for 987 yards and eight touchdowns over 16 games. Golden had only three games over 70 receiving yards during Texas' first 12 games but broke out late, producing over 100 receiving yards in big wins over Georgia (162 yards, SEC title game) and Arizona State (149 yards, CFP quarterfinal). His late breakout combined with a terrific showing at the combine helped lock in a first-round projection.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Golden to Chris Olave and said he believes Golden could one day be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
From Zierlein: "Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future."
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Golden as his No. 2 receiver in the class (behind McMillan) and the No. 15 overall player.
From Brugler: "Fluid in and out of his breaks, Golden shows a plan as a route runner — I love his ability to break down corners by keeping his eyes, hips and feet in sync. That coordination also translates to the catch point with his very natural ball skills to track, frame and finish. Overall, it might bother someteams that he doesn't have better size, but Golden also doesn't have any glaring flaws to his game that would keep him from becoming a productive pro. He can play inside or outside and become the go-to target for an NFL offense."
The Packers haven't drafted a receiver in the first round since 2002. Could Golden break the streak on Thursday night?
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Schrager sends Texas WR Matthew Golden to Packers in one and only mock draft
Continue reading...
While he admits the Packers could "go in several directions" in the first round, Schrager says Golden -- who broke out as a big-time producer down the stretch for Texas last season -- is the top receiver on the board for many teams.
"I know it's out of character for Green Bay to take a receiver in Round 1 -- they haven't done it since 2002 -- but in this scenario, Golden could slide right to them," Schrager wrote. "And I can't see him sliding much more. Green Bay could go in several directions. I doubt anyone thought the Packers could get the consensus top wideout on many boards, though."
Schrager has the Packers taking Golden over Josh Simmons, Will Johnson and Shemar Stewart, who were all picked after No. 23 in his mock draft. Golden was the third receiver off the board, following Tetairoa McMillan to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19 and Emeka Egbuka to the Denver Broncos at No. 20.
Golden (5-10, 191) averaged over 100 receiving yards per game over the Longhorns' final four games, including the team's playoff run, and then ran the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds -- the fastest time by a receiver at the combine. He finished his one and only season at Texas with 58 catches for 987 yards and eight touchdowns over 16 games. Golden had only three games over 70 receiving yards during Texas' first 12 games but broke out late, producing over 100 receiving yards in big wins over Georgia (162 yards, SEC title game) and Arizona State (149 yards, CFP quarterfinal). His late breakout combined with a terrific showing at the combine helped lock in a first-round projection.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compared Golden to Chris Olave and said he believes Golden could one day be a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
From Zierlein: "Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future."
Dane Brugler of The Athletic has Golden as his No. 2 receiver in the class (behind McMillan) and the No. 15 overall player.
From Brugler: "Fluid in and out of his breaks, Golden shows a plan as a route runner — I love his ability to break down corners by keeping his eyes, hips and feet in sync. That coordination also translates to the catch point with his very natural ball skills to track, frame and finish. Overall, it might bother someteams that he doesn't have better size, but Golden also doesn't have any glaring flaws to his game that would keep him from becoming a productive pro. He can play inside or outside and become the go-to target for an NFL offense."
The Packers haven't drafted a receiver in the first round since 2002. Could Golden break the streak on Thursday night?
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Schrager sends Texas WR Matthew Golden to Packers in one and only mock draft
Continue reading...
