After starring in high school in Houston, Texas, Matthew Golden initially committed to TCU but later opted for the University of Houston. He was a starter even as a freshman, but was never the primary wideout there. He entered the transfer portal at the end of 2023 and switched to the University of Texas Longhorns.
His only season in Austin saw him lead the offense in receiving yards (987) and touchdowns (9), helping the Longhors to reach their third playoff game before losing to Ohio State, the eventual College Football National Championship winner. He ended with a gaudy 17.0 yard receiving average.
Height: 5-11
Weight: 191 pounds
40 time: 4.29 seconds
Fast.
Very fast.
Golden’s 4.29 40-time was tops at the 2025 NFL Combine. He enters the NFL draft with a chance to be one of the first wideouts selected thanks to that blazing speed and his fine 2024 performance during his only season with the Longhorns. Golden also served as a kick returner at both Houston and Texas.
Pros
- Pure burner that is a big play waiting to happen
- Excels on vertical routes with the speed to pull away from cornerbacks
- Dangerous route runner that knows how to set up and separate from coverage
- Proven ability for highlight reel catches
- Shows multiple gears that let him work the coverage; top gear can leave the secondary behind
- Played at his best versus top-tier opponents
- While a bit smaller, uses his size well and is tenacious in contested catches
Cons
- Occasional drops from lack of focus/concentration
- Needs to improve working back to quarterback when route shut down
- Has been dinged up in college, so may have durability issues in the NFL
- Needs more work on blocking skills
Fantasy Outlook
Matthew Golden was one of the more talked about wideouts at the NFL Combine, where he elevated his stock with that 40-time. He was already quick and shifty, but his top-end speed is not something that can be taught or easily covered if he ever gets behind the secondary.
The expectation is that Golden will be a first-round selection for a team looking to ramp up their passing offense with a speed demon. He’ll carry fantasy value even as a rookie though it may take a season or two before he offers consistent play. If he lands on an offense with an above-average passer who has enough time to let Golden get downfield, consider Golden as an enticing Best Ball option with likely several high-yardage performances – just maybe not yet consistent enough for weekly redraft league play.
His return abilities are very likely to be used, at least early in his career. He’s a homerun hitter with a couple of return touchdowns in college. He met with even teams at the NFL Combine. He’s considered an attractive prospect for the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams. It is certainly not impossible for him to be a team’s leading wideout as a rookie, but most landing spots will see him contend for a No. 2 or No. 3 role for this year.
