Matthew Golden Scouting Report
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Sara Diggins/American Statesman)
School: Texas
Class: Junior
Position: WR
HT: 5’11
WT: 191 lbs
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Background: Matthew Golden was a 4-star wide receiver out of Houston, Texas. Golden was a top 30 wide receiver and top 200 player nationally in the class of 2022. Matthew prepped at Klein Cain High School where he earned all-state honors as a senior and earned all-district and all-academic honors three years in a row. As a senior, Matthew was named Offensive MVP. Matthew Golden chose to stay home and play for Houston over TCU, Texas, and others.
College: Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons for the Cougars, Golden played in 20 games. He totaled 76 receptions for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was also a prolific kick returner for Houston, having 2 kick return touchdowns. Golden transferred to Texas ahead of the 2024 season. In his one season with the Longhorns, Golden had 58 receptions for 987 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Strengths: Matthew Golden saw a meteoric rise in his draft stock during his year with the Longhorns. He broke out as the Longhorns’ top receiver despite a loaded group. Golden has elite speed, as shown by his 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine. He accelerates and gets to his top speed in a hurry, taking the top off of defenses and putting defensive backs on their heels immediately. His vertical game is second to none as no defensive back has shown the ability to stay in phase with Golden. Golden has an excellent stop and go ability in his game. He is able to lose defenders at any point throughout his route as he is dangerous in all three areas of the field. He has excellent footwork, a true technician of a route runner. Golden’s sharp cuts and ability to break on a dime gives him plenty of separation to create a large catch radius. That aforementioned speed is noticeable after the catch, where he is difficult to bring down in open space.
Weaknesses: Golden does not have the strength or physicality to consistently win those contested balls. If he doesn’t create the separation needed to have an easy catch, he struggles to make a play at the catchpoint. Golden does not give it his all on broken plays. When he can work or improvise a way to get himself open when he is covered, he tends to not show full effort. Additionally, as a run blocker, the effort or motor is not there. The lack of effort as a blocker combined with his lack of size create for an ineffective player.
Conclusion: Matthew Golden is an elite playmaker with speed to burn any defensive back. His speed and crisp route running makes him a hard cover. He will have limitations with physicality and strength, but that will not hinder him too badly.
Scheme Fit: Scheme Versatile
Ideal Role: Z Receiver
Best Team Fits: LAC, LVR, SEA
Player Comparison: Garrett Wilson
Player Grade: Round 1 (91.1)
