Ah, the sweet sound of NFL Fantasy Football season arriving. For Packers fans, this year’s NFL Draft brought a mix of cautious optimism and side-eye skepticism. With the 23rd overall pick, the Packers added speedster Matthew Golden to their wide receiver room, finally going against their historic “no WRs in the first round” streak that haunted Aaron Rodgers for years. But hey, who needs ghosts of Packers past when you’ve got fresh meat in Golden with blazing 4.29 speed should make fantasy owners excited, right?
Though it’s tempting to slap the “savior” label on him, we need to pump the brakes a bit. Here’s why Golden deserves your attention, but not your blind faith, heading into the 2025 season.
Green Bay Wide Receiver Depth Chart Looks… Crowded?
At first glance, the Packers’ receiver room looks packed but ineffective. Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and even tight end Tucker Kraft all flirted with decent yardage last year, but none even sniffed 1,000 yards. Translation? They’re all “meh.”
This team screams for an alpha target hog, so the hope is that Golden’s first-round pedigree catapults him into this role. But will he actually be the WR1 this franchise so badly needs? Don’t print his jersey just yet.
Even though Golden’s speed gives him serious downfield threat potential, he doesn’t come without question marks. His college stats, including a decent-but-not-spectacular 18.7% target per route run rate, don’t exactly scream “future All-Pro.” Sure, he produced some flash moments, but does Green Bay expect him to immediately outshine other young receivers like Watson or Doubs? Seems like a tall order for now.
The Packers’ Offensive Strategy Could Create Limitations in Fantasy
Oh, and before you start picturing Golden pulling a Ja’Marr Chase rookie season, remember this is Green Bay we’re talking about. The Packers’ offense under head coach Matt LaFleur hasn’t exactly been a factory for WR1s (unless you’re counting Adams back in the Rodgers era). Instead, they’ve leaned heavily into a “by-committee” passing game.
Pair that with an unproven quarterback in Jordan Love, who has one of the greenest resumes among NFL starters, and you start questioning whether Golden is walking into a system that can fully maximize his tools. A rookie wide receiver paired with a still-learning QB? Talk about one of the NFL’s riskiest bingo cards.
What Golden Brings to the Team
With all that said, don’t mistake skepticism for dismissal. Golden’s athleticism could bring something Green Bay has missed for years. He’s got wheels to rival the league’s fastest and a knack for catching deep passes. If LaFleur and Love can figure out how to use him in play-action or designed deep shots, we could see some fireworks. Green Bay just needs to trust him to take the top off defenses while Love finds his rhythm with precision passes.
Perhaps the excitement surrounding Golden comes from his potential to open up the offense. Don’t forget, Watson (knee issues) is sidelined for now, leaving the “big playmaker” mantle up for grabs. If you’re looking for that wide receiver who can stretch the field, Golden could quickly prove worth his draft hype in a system desperate for some offensive juice.
Dynasty Value & Fantasy Football Outlook
From a dynasty and redraft fantasy football perspective? Golden’s value currently sits at WR31, but his first-round status essentially gives him a built-in safety net for those investing in him for the long haul. Even if he produces league-average numbers this season, the fantasy community tends to have a soft spot for flashy rookie receivers. Translation? His value often holds steady, even if Year 1 doesn’t completely pan out.
If you snag him in your fantasy draft, view him as a lottery ticket rather than a sure thing. Look for boom games, especially if Love surprises us and Golden becomes his go-to downfield connection. But don’t bet your entire fantasy roster on Golden being anything more than a WR3 in redraft leagues this season.
Final Verdict
Matthew Golden is an intriguing addition to a Green Bay squad that desperately needs to plug holes in its passing game, but he’s far from a lock to become their WR1 savior right away. This guy is dripping with potential as a high-risk, high-reward rookie. His speed and athleticism give Jordan Love a much-needed weapon, but systemic challenges in Green Bay could mean growing pains lie ahead.
Packers fans, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. Golden is likely going to flash brilliance in spurts. Whether he can consistently deliver might come down to how quickly Love grows into his role as an NFL starter. One thing’s for sure, though: we’ll all be watching closely every time Golden takes the field.
