When the Green Bay Packers selected Matthew Golden with their first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, many fans met the decision with a high level of enthusiasm. After all, many of them had been calling on the team to draft a wide receiver in the first round for years, and Golden became the first one Green Bay took in that round since Javon Walker in 2002.
However, Golden did not have the high-level of production that many expected him to as a rookie. He missed some time with an injury and had 29 receptions for 361 yards. Golden did not score a touchdown during the regular season.
But while many may have been underwhelmed by Golden’s rookie season, PFF believes big things are on the horizon for him in 2026.
Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden chosen by PFF as team’s 2026 breakout candidate
One of the free agents that is expected to leave Green Bay when the new league year begins in March is four-year veteran wide receiver Romeo Doubs. His likely departure means that Golden will get more opportunities in the passing game. Combined with having a year under his belt, and his status as a former first round pick, Golden is predicted by PFF to be the Packers’ breakout player in 2026:
“Golden’s playing time drastically declined when Christian Watson returned from injury in Week 8. However, he showed up when it mattered most with 84 yards and a 90.0 PFF receiving grade in Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Bears. Romeo Doubs will be a free agent this offseason, which should provide Golden the opportunity to start in 2026.”
If and when Golden starts in Green Bay, he will be getting the bulk of the targets that went to Doubs. Of course, he will still have to share those targets with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Tucker Kraft, but being one of the team’s top three wide receivers on the depth chart will lead to much more production.
And, as PFF notes, his performance in the NFC Wild Card round was a glimpse at what fans can expect from him when he has a bigger role on the offense. In that game, he had four receptions for 84 yards and his first professional touchdown.
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