For the first time since 2002, the Green Bay Packers selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft. The Packers added WR Matthew Golden out of Texas with the 23rd overall pick. Golden is a speedy wideout to say the least, clocking a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. He played his first two seasons in Houston before transferring to play for the Longhorns in his final collegiate year. His best season was last year, finishing with 58 receptions, 987 yards and nine touchdowns. So, was Golden being drafted by Green Bay good for his fantasy stock?
Golden joins a crowded receiver room in Green Bay. Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are among the other big names in the room. With that being said, Golden still has a chance to claim the top spot on the depth chart. Reed led the team in receiving last season, but only finished with 857 yards. Jordan Love and the Packers definitely like to spread the ball around, as six different Green Bay players recorded 300 or more yards through the air a season ago. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Green Bay, but Golden can take a huge chunk of the volume right off the bat.
There aren’t many teams in the NFL where Golden would have the opportunity to compete for the WR1 position right off the bat, but Green Bay is one of those teams. Yes, the receiver room is deep, but they don’t have a clear-cut #1 guy on the roster as of yet. Golden will have a chance to be that guy from the jump and will come with huge expectations due to where he was drafted.
The rookie didn’t get a ton of work in the preseason, catching two of his three targets for 48 yards. One of those catches was particularly impressive, coming down with a tough contested catch against the Seahawks in the final preseason game.
The Packers were a great spot for him to land, and now it’s up to him to see what he can become in the NFL. As is the case with any rookie in fantasy football, the ceiling is extremely high; however, the floor is low.
