In a down year for wide receivers, Texas Longhorns WR Matthew Golden is a quality prospect for NFL teams to boost their passing attack. Golden is hoping to parlay a hot finish to his junior season, in which he dominated with 411 yards in four games.
Matthew Golden’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 195 pounds
- Position: Wide Receiver
- School: Texas
- Current Year: Junior
Golden’s Scouting Report
Originally from Houston, Texas, Golden was a four-star prospect per 247 Sports while playing for Klein Cain High School. As a recruit, he was ranked as the 150th player nationally, the 25th receiver, and the 25th prospect in the state of Texas.
Golden started his career at Houston, contributing early with 38 receptions for 584 yards. He also set the Cougars’ true freshman record for receiving touchdowns with seven while finishing second in the nation among freshman receivers in TD receptions.
As a sophomore, Golden started nine games but missed three due to injury. He finished the season with 404 yards and six touchdowns on 38 receptions. He was also recognized as a second-team All-Big-12 kick returner.
Heading into his junior season, Golden entered the transfer portal and went to Texas, where he exploded for 987 yards, 58 receptions, and nine touchdowns. He was a key contributor to Texas’ late-season run in the College Football Playoff, particularly against Arizona State, where he dominated with 149 yards, seven receptions, and one touchdown.
Strengths
- Able to make abrupt stops and redirect with ease, either after the catch or as a route runner.
- Very efficient route runner; Loses very little speed on his cuts when transitioning.
- Great long speed and acceleration helps him create consistent separation from defensive backs. Also flies out of his stance with a quick release.
- Displays fantastic concentration to make difficult catches look easy.
- Flashes the body control needed to contort and readjust to the football when it’s poorly placed.
- Possesses the shiftiness to evade defenders after the catch and the burst to turn small gaps into big gains.
Weaknesses
- Lean frame and limited play strength negatively impacts his ability to win through contact.
- Length and overall size gives him a reduced catch radius.
- Is easily brought down by defenders due to lower weight and a lack of power.
Doesn’t have the build and traits necessary to succeed in contested situations.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
In the 2025 NFL Draft, Golden is the most well-rounded receiver prospect. While he’s not an elite athlete in a singular category, he still does all of the little things at a high enough level to carve out a role within an offense.
Golden likely will never emerge as a primary target in the NFL, but he’s balanced enough to be a fantastic WR2 or WR3 on a team. His ability to create consistent separation with his speed or quick feet makes him a reliable target. He also made a number of highlight-worthy catches in his final few games of the season.
Thanks to his balanced profile, Golden is worthy of being selected within the middle of Round 2. But because this year’s draft class is heavily lacking talented WR prospects, Golden could be selected as early as the end of the first round.
