In PFSN’s latest mock draft, the Denver Broncos are projected to select a speedy wide receiver with the No. 20 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The move could open up their passing game and give quarterback Bo Nix a legitimate deep threat. Let’s break down the projected pick and why it makes sense for Denver.
Broncos Projected to Pick Texas Longhorns Speedster
In his mock draft, PFSN’s Anthony Pasciolla predicts that Denver will select Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden with the No. 20 pick in the NFL Draft.
In 2024, Golden caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns while at Texas. Golden finished his collegiate career with 22 touchdowns and 1,975 receiving yards.
“QB Bo Nix had a surprisingly promising rookie campaign for the Denver Broncos, which should hurry the front office’s rebuilding process. One of the best ways to do so and supercharge Nix’s development is to strengthen the weapons around him,” Pasciolla writes.
“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 seven receptions for 149 yards and one touchdown.”
As a freshman at Houston, Golden had 38 receptions for 584 yards and set the school’s true freshman record for receiving touchdowns with seven, finishing second in the nation among first-year receivers in that category.
Coming off a surprisingly successful season and playoff appearance with a rookie quarterback, the Broncos have the opportunity to go all-in.
With Nix looking like a franchise cornerstone under center, adding Golden would provide explosiveness and big-play potential. Denver would likely improve upon its net yards per attempt, which ranked 17th in the league last season.
Nix ranked 18th in PFSN’s QB+ metric last season, while Denver’s offense placed 16th in PFSN’s Offense+ metric.
If the offense takes the next step and becomes a top 10-15 unit — combined with a defense that ranked No. 1 in PFSN’s Defense+ metric — the Broncos could be a sneaky contender for a deep postseason run.
How Golden Would Impact the Broncos’ Offense
In PFSN’s scouting report on Golden, Joe DeLeone writes: “Golden is the most well-rounded receiver prospect. He combines fantastic athleticism with the ability to do all of the little things at a high enough level to carve out a role within an offense…
“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.”
Golden’s strengths lie in his speed, agility, and ability to create separation from defenders. He averaged 17.02 yards per catch in his final season at Texas, demonstrating his potential as a deep threat in the NFL. Additionally, his experience as a kick returner could add another dimension to the Broncos’ special teams unit.
While Golden’s injury history—including a rib injury and turf toe surgery—raises some concerns, his resilience and ability to perform at a high level despite those setbacks are encouraging.
Golden’s draft stock has been soaring ever since the NFL Scouting Combine when he recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.29 seconds, which was the fastest among this year’s wide receivers and the second-fastest of any player, trailing only Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston (4.28).
Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. would benefit from Golden’s presence, allowing Denver to spread defenses and create more opportunities on offense. His ability to stretch the field would open up underneath routes, leading to a more balanced attack.
As the Broncos look to build on their recent success, adding an X-factor like Golden could be the key to unlocking their full potential in the coming seasons.