Matthew Golden Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

College Production

Golden posted a career-best season in his lone year at Texas, catching 58 passes for 987 yards (17.0 YPR) and 9 TDs on 83 targets across 16 games.

He posted 2.10 yards per route and accounted for 26.5% of the team’s receiving TDs, emerging as a big-play weapon and red-zone asset in a competitive Longhorns offense.

He broke out in the final four games of the season with 19 catches for 411 yards and a TD.

Usage & Role

At 5'11, 191 pounds, Golden played a versatile role at Texas, operating both inside and out.

His 13.5-yard average depth of target and 16.1% target share reflect usage as a field stretcher and perimeter threat.

He excelled in both the intermediate and deep levels and has shown the ability to separate against man coverage and win vertically.

Efficiency Metrics

Golden’s 2024 efficiency metrics stood out:

• 2.10 yards per route
• 2.2 yards per team pass attempt
• 75.6 PFF receiving grade
• 26.8% Dominator Rating

He consistently delivered on limited volume, showing both splash-play ability and down-to-down reliability.

Historical Production & Trends

Golden produced at every stop from a 7-TD freshman season at Houston to his explosive year at Texas in 2024.

His Dominator Rating and yards per team pass attempt both increased year over year, reflecting steady development.

The downside is that he never led his team in receptions at any point in his college career.

Injury History

Golden played in all 16 games in 2024 and enters the NFL healthy.

He missed three games in 2023 due to turf toe and two games in 2022 due to a rib injury.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Golden joins a deep Packers WR group featuring Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks.

He’ll likely start the season behind those veterans but could push for rotational snaps on the outside and as a situational deep threat.

It’s possible Golden takes Christian Watson’s role immediately as Watson recovers from a January ACL tear.

The team also brought in free agent Mecole Hardman and drafted Savion Williams in the third round.

TE Tucker Kraft emerged last season and Luke Musgrave will also be returning to some usage.

Golden’s early role may be limited, but injuries or strong camp performance could vault him into a big role to start the season.

Supporting Cast

Jordan Love is locked in as the franchise QB and won’t have a nagging groin injury hindering him. That could result in a slightly higher pass rate in 2025.

RB Josh Jacobs remains the focal point of the offense and also adds a pass-catching threat.

The Packers return four of their five starting offensive linemen in OTs Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom as well as interior OL Elgton Jenkins and Sean Rhyan. They also added Aaron Banks from the 49ers.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Matt LaFleur’s offense shifted from pass-leaning in 2023 to run-heavy in 2024.

In 2023, the Packers averaged 61.9 plays per game with a 58.1% pass rate, 56.2% neutral pass rate, and +1.9% pass rate over expectation.

In 2024, those numbers dropped to 60.4 players per game, 48.8% pass rate, 47.8% neutral pass rate, and a -4.5% pass rate over expectation.

After Love’s groin injury, these numbers were even lower: 48.1% pass rate, 44.7% neutral pass rate, and -5.5% pass rate over expectation from Weeks 9-18.

LaFleur’s fluid offense allows the Packers to lean on what they do best. This season likely sees a rise in pass rate with a healthy Love, but it is doubtful they go back to 2023’s high pass rate.

If the pass rate does climb back to 2023’s rate, Golden could provide spike weeks through big plays.