According to interest in the NFL Combine position group, this year’s wide receiver class has not been considered as strong as in the past few years, but the top talent is appealing to the Pittsburgh Steelers. GM Omar Khan said improving the WR corps this offseason is a priority for the team. So they will probably invest in that position via free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. One of the names of Pittsburgh could be considered Texas WR Matthew Golden in the first half of the draft.
Matthew Golden had a strong 2024 season with Texas, scoring a career-high 58 receptions with 987 yards and nine touchdowns. Golden almost doubles his previous career by receiving yards as a junior, building his time and believes he is ready when his number is called.
“It was just a ball that found me at the right time,” Golden told the media. “Be consistent and bow your head until my opportunity is given to me. When the ball wasn’t finding me, I did my best to contribute to the team.”
Looking at Matthew Golden’s tape, you can see a well-balanced receiver that highlights his route running and allows Splash to play on the field in the passing game. He is a big play threat that can take the lead from the defense at a verified 4.29 speed, but he can also play on the rim as a contest catch specialist standing only at 5110, 191 pounds.
“I think it’s a catch point for my route running and for me,” Golden said of his skill set at the NFL combine. “We can attack the ball wherever the ball is and play both inside and out.”
While a small receiver, Matthew Golden has played much larger than his listed size suggests, and has the experience of lining up as wide as slots. He looks very similar to other smaller receivers who dominated the league, such as Greg Jennings and former Steeler Santonio Holmes, and has the opportunity to lighten up the bottle for offense.
When asked about what separates him from other receivers in this draft class, Golden mentioned his mental insight into the game and how he combines mental and physical plays on the field.
“You just have to understand the game in full,” Golden said. “See what defense they are and how the corners play. You can run full speed at the tempo and you can run at points at the quarterback.”
Matthew Golden is expected to go somewhere on the first or second day of the 2025 NFL Draft. That means Pittsburgh will have to make the first draft choice to secure him. Golden brings more route runners to the team, and can play in every phase of the field like the more athletic Dionta Johnson, and if he and George Pickens wear black and gold, they form a terrifyingly youthful duo between him and George Pickens.
Scouting Report on Golden:
