The 2025 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Matthew Golden NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Texas
Size: 6-foot, 195 pounds
Class: Junior
2024 stats: 58 receptions, 987 receiving yards, 9 touchdown catches, 17.0 yards per catch
Golden was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022 who decided to stay close to home to play for Houston. In his first season with the Cougars, Golden produced with 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. He helped Houston win eight games that season. In 2023, he registered 38 catches for 404 yards and six touchdowns. Houston took a step back that season, winning just four games. After the season, Golden decided to transfer to Texas. In his one season with the Longhorns, Golden caught 58 passes for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He led the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff, where they lost in the semifinal.
Following the College Football Playoff appearance, Golden declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first or second-round pick.
Golden is a great route-runner, which he proved at both Houston and Texans. He has decent releases at the line of scrimmage to start. When he gets to a break in the route, he can sell it well. Golden is able to get in and out of his breaks quickly to create separation. He can change speeds well to keep defenders on their heels.
He has solid speed for the position, which helps him be a great deep threat. Golden can stretch the field vertically with his speed. He tracks the ball well in the air. Golden also has nice body control and can go high point the ball to come down with it. Teams can use him to open up a lot for their offense.
With his speed, Golden is also solid in running after the catch. He isn’t the most creative runner, but he has good vision and uses his athleticism well. Golden is decently elusive, but can mainly pick up yards due to his speed, acceleration and agility. He can take quick passes for a lot of extra yardage.
Golden is a smaller receiver for the outside at 6-foot and 195 pounds. He needs to add play strength to his game and fill out his frame a little bit more to be a more well-rounded receiver. With his limited size, he still has a decent catch radius, albeit not as big as some other top prospects in the class.
He can struggle with physical coverage in a variety of ways. Golden can struggle to get off the line against press coverage and needs to learn how to fight through it, even if he has some solid releases. His struggles with physical coverage continue throughout reps, as he has a hard time making contested catches on a regular basis.
His run blocking can also improve. Adding more strength will help him sustain blocks, but he also needs to show better technique to keep his blocks going longer. If he can put more effort in as a blocker both before the game and during, he can be a more valuable part of an offense.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Draft Grade: Second Round Pick
Make sure to check out our NFL Draft page for more content like Matthew Golden NFL Draft Profile!
You can like The Game Haus on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from great TGH writers!
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
