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<\/p>\nThe Green Bay Packers held their rookie minicamp on May 2 and 3, welcoming 38 players, including members of the 2025 draft class, undrafted free agents, and a select group of tryout players. This event offers the coaching staff a valuable opportunity to assess emerging talent while also offering players a chance to prove they belong in the NFL. For many, however, it marks the end of the road.<\/p>\n
Green Bay’s 2025 rookie minicamp featured a few peculiarities, including a 6-foot-9 punter in attendance and a Canadian quarterback making his mark. However, according to an NFL reporter, the Packers are particularly impressed with one of their draft picks.<\/p>\n
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Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden poses after being selected 23rd overall by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.\u00a9 Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n
“The Packers picked the fastest receiver in the draft, Matthew Golden, and early returns from Green Bay say the rookie\u2019s overall athleticism has already shown up,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote<\/a>. “It\u2019ll be interesting to see whether a veteran receiver shakes free in a trade based on Golden\u2019s development.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Golden has received significant praise from the media recently, with ESPN\u2019s Eric Moody predicting he will be the top rookie wide receiver of the year.<\/p>\n “I think Golden will outshine Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan in the 2025 season,” Moody wrote<\/a>. “It’s rare for the Packers to take a wide receiver in the first round, and Golden finds himself in an ideal situation with rising\u00a0quarterback\u00a0Jordan Love\u00a0and offensive-minded coach Matt LaFleur. Could Golden be the 2025 version of Brian Thomas Jr.?”<\/p>\n Golden’s talent has not gone unnoticed by Steve Sarkisian, his former coach at Texas, who believes Golden has the potential to make an immediate impact with his impressive skill set.<\/p>\n “He’s a fantastic player,” Sarkisian said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “Matt showed everyone how fast he was with that 40 time, but his short area quickness, how he gets in and out of breaks makes him truly elite,” he added. “He has extremely strong hands, makes contested catches, can do it at all three levels \u2013 whether it’s the short game, the intermediate, the deep balls \u2013 and he’s at his best in the most critical moments. You top that off with the blue-collar attitude he has, the fact that he’s a great teammate who you can really count on day in and day out, that’s what really separates him. He works, he’s no nonsense, he’s tough and does the dirty work blocking linebackers, safeties and event defensive ends. All in all, I think this guy is getting all that he deserves, and Green Bay is going to love him.”<\/p>\n Matthew Golden is the first receiver the Packers have drafted in the first round since 2002. He will likely have opportunities to claim the number one receiver role and should become Green Bay’s primary deep threat while Christian Watson recovers from a torn ACL.<\/p>\n Related: Packers Mid-Round Pick Predicted To Make Immediate Impact As A Rookie<\/a><\/p>\n