Matthew Golden lit up the combine, running a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash. He has been rising up draft boards and the combine will only help him increase more. The Matthew Golden dynasty outlook is on the rise.
Dynasty Outlook and Scouting Report for Matthew Golden
Measurables
Golden measured 5’11 and 191 pounds at the NFL Combine this weekend, which is undersized for the wide receiver position.
Background
Golden spent his first two years in college at the University of Houston. His production was low, only catching 38 passes each year. He transferred to the University of Texas and helped the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff Semifinal. In 16 games, Golden caught 58 passes for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Golden was a great end zone target for quarterback Quinn Ewers. Golden is entering the NFL Draft as a true junior after playing just three years in college.
Strengths/Pros
Golden has elite speed, running a 4.29 at the Combine, the fastest among all wide receivers and second among all positions. He was also 0.1 faster than fellow Longhorns wide receiver Isaiah Bond. This was the second-fastest time for a WR weighing at least 190 pounds since 2003. Golden uses his speed to be a great route runner with excellent separation. He is an explosive athlete who can go up and catch the ball and has good ball-tracking ability. Golden is a great deep-threat wide receiver.
Matthew Golden OFFICIALLY ran a 4.29..
He had the FASTEST 40 Time amongst ALL WR’s in the 2025 Class
➖Height: 5’11
➖Weight: 191 lbsGolden had a notable High Ankle Sprain in January, he MAY run faster at his Pro Day
➖10 Yard Split: 1.53 (9.05)
➖20 Yard Split: 2.54 (9.38) pic.twitter.com/TwR3Nw3hai— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) March 1, 2025
Weaknesses/Cons
Even with the great catch radius for Golden, he has had some concerning drops over his college career. Additionally, he is a poor run blocker, which could prevent him from being on the field in run situations. Since Golden only played three years in college with limited production, he has less experience than other receivers in the draft.
Dynasty Wide Receiver Rankings
Prospect Grade and Potential Landing Spots
Golden is projected to be drafted in the late first round or the early second round. The Texans need a replacement for Stefon Diggs, who is a free agent, making them an ideal landing spot for Golden at the end of the first round. The Patriots are another team that could look to draft him in the early second round.
Golden Dynasty Outlook
Golden is currently being drafted in the early to middle of the second round in early dynasty rookie drafts. According to KeepTradeCut, he is worth the 2.09 pick in drafts and is the WR48. He is behind Xavier Legette and Jauan Jennings while ahead of Tank Dell and Jakobi Meyers. The middle of the second round seems like a reasonable spot for Golden without knowing his role on an NFL team.
The most likely scenario for Golden is to be a WR2 who can stretch the field on a team that always has a true WR1. A good example of this scenario is if Golden goes to the Texans where Golden will play the Stefon Diggs role. He will have plenty of fantasy production like we saw from Diggs this year. That offense can support two or even three fantasy-relevant receivers.
However, the best-case scenario for Golden is if he goes to the Patriots. He will be their WR1 and earn a high target share playing with quarterback Drake Maye for many years in the foreseeable future. He will have more fantasy value where he is the WR1, like Malik Nabers on the Giants last season who earned a massive target share. Although Golden is not on the talent level of Nabers, he will see a large target share in this scenario, which is great for fantasy purposes.
To summarize, I do not think his upside is as high as some other receivers in the draft, and I would not reach for him in rookie drafts. Golden will be a solid player in the NFL and fantasy leagues and will have more potential on a team where he is the WR1.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
