Texas WR Matthew Golden would give Bo Nix and exciting new weapon in the passing game

Should the Broncos improve their wide receiver room and draft Texas Longhorns wide receiver Matthew Golden?

One prospect who the Denver Broncos may consider drafting in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft is Texas wide receiver, Matthew Golden. He is a 5’11”, 191-pound wide receiver who is considered one of the top pass-catchers in the entire draft. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst Dane Brugler has Golden ranked as his 27th overall prospect in the entire 2025 NFL Draft and has him graded as the fourth best receiver in the draft.

Golden played a total of two seasons at the University of Houston before transferring to Texas where he had a breakout year for the Longhorns. During his three-year career between both schools, Golden totaled 134 receptions for 1,975 yards and 22 touchdowns. This past year for Texas, he totaled 58 receptions for 987 yards and 9 touchdown receptions.

Player Profile

Matthew Golden | Wide Receiver | Texas

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 191 pounds
• Age: 21 years old
• Hands: 9 ¹⁄₂ inches
• Arm Length: 30 5/8 inches
• 40-Yard Dash: 4.29 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.49 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Excellent route runner
• Crafty and smooth with his routes and creates separation with ease
• Developed route tre
• Tracks the ball well and has good body control to make tough catches
• Won contested catches
• Has strong hands and plucks the ball out of the air
• Proved he can be a down the field threat for an offense
• Talented kick returner
• Ran an impressive 4.29 40-time at the Combine

Weaknesses

• Not really a weakness, but while he ran a 4.29 at the Combine, that speed doesn’t show up on the tape
• Doesn’t provide much as a blocker
• Has dealt with some minor drop issues at times
• Not a dynamic receiver
• Only average size

Matthew Golden’s RAS

What other analysts are saying about Texas WR Matthew Golden

NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah on WR Matthew Golden

Golden has average size, but he plays with tremendous polish, instincts and toughness. He spends a lot of time operating out of the slot. He can defeat press coverage with quickness or strength. He understands how to tempo routes and sets up defenders down the field. He can change gears when the ball goes up and he tracks it naturally. He does a nice job of staying grounded through the catch when working on crossers. He has the utmost confidence in his ball skills. After the catch, he is very strong/sturdy to pull through tackles and he can make defenders miss in space. I love his temperament on the field — he plays with an edge. Overall, Golden doesn’t have dynamic traits, but he’s a natural football player and a quarterback’s best friend. He’s dependable.

NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on WR Matthew Golden

Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future.

Final Thoughts

I entered this without too much knowledge of Matthew Golden but did come away impressed and why he is rising up the draft boards. He doesn’t have great size, but his game is route running and separation and he does both things very well. He also showcases good ball-tracking skills, body control, and the ability to pluck the ball out of the air with his strong hands. He has the makings of a solid and dependable wide receiver.

The one elephant in the room is his impressive 40-time. He ran a 4.29 at the Combine which is great, however, you do not see that type of speed when you watch him play. He is not slow by any means, but he does not look like Xavier Worthy out there.

As for his fit with the Broncos, I am on the fence about it. Whether or not the Broncos NEED a first round receiver is debatable, but adding one who can consistently separate would be an upgrade. However, he does not run block and does not have the size Sean Payton seems to value in his receivers. So, I am leaning towards him not being a fit, but personally, I would not be upset with it.