Even Mel Kiper Jr. has had a change of heart. After three consecutive mocks in which he pounded the table for the Cowboys to take a running back (namely, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton) with the No. 12 pick, the draft guru went a different direction with his fourth and final projection, instead sending Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden to Dallas in the first round.
It certainly wouldn’t be a long shot. The Cowboys are desperate to find a serious threat at WR2 opposite CeeDee Lamb, someone who would force opposing defenses to spread themselves thin in coverage. Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and the host of young receivers currently in Dallas all have upside, but the Cowboys passing attack needs a weapon, not more warm bodies. Golden is unanimously ranked one of four elite pass-catchers in this year’s draft class- along with Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka- with many experts other than Kiper also thinking he’d be an ideal fit in the silver and blue.
Each of those receivers is expected to be gone within the first two rounds of the draft, but Dallas’s No. 44 pick may too late. A solid cornerback, a good pass rusher, and a more-than-serviceable young running back can all be had well into the second round or later; if the Cowboys want a true difference-maker to pair with Lamb, it may be the move they have to make on Thursday night.
Golden was one of the Cowboys’ national “30” visitors, so the interest is definitely there. Here’s a look at the Texas native’s measurables, highlights, and scouting reports as draft day approaches.
Matthew Golden Measurables
Matthew Golden is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements.https://t.co/tsUZI2nPyXpic.twitter.com/sH3y76u2rZ
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 13, 2025
Matthew Golden Highlights
Matthew Golden Scouting Report Compilation
Scouting Overview – NFL.com
Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future.
Strengths – “The Beast” (Dane Brugler, The Athletic)
- Average size measurables but doesn’t play small
- Graceful athlete with outstanding control in release and route breaks
- Uses different techniques to make corner feel his presence, opening comebacks and curls (favorite route is a 14-yard curl)
- Stem burst creates separation on posts and corners
- Above-average focus at catch point with fast, steady hands
- Superb body control to turn and frame the football mid-air
- Tracks ball well downfield (often had to slow and adjust his track with Quinn Ewers’ deep balls)
- Much stronger than expected, especially when finishing catches through contact
- Impressive awareness post-catch, immediately changing run angles to make first man miss
- Averaged at least 20.0 yards per catch in 10 of 16 games in 2024
- Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2023; career 25.8 yards per kick return (28 attempts for 722 yards and two touchdowns)
- Very self-confident and embraces competition (emerged as top option in Texas’ talent-rich wide receiver room in 2024)
- Coaches trusted him to play every wide receiver position in the playbook
Weaknesses – NFL Draft Buzz
- Frame could use additional bulk to better absorb contact and maintain positioning against physical NFL corners who get hands on him
- Concentration drops pop up more than you’d like to see – focus seems to waver when thinking about running before securing the catch
- Blocking effort and technique need significant refinement – struggles to sustain engagement and can get overpowered by defensive backs
- Medical history raises some durability concerns with foot surgery in 2023 and previous rib injury limiting availability
- Press release package needs expansion beyond athletic ability – currently relies too heavily on pure speed and quickness to win off the line
Film Breakdown
For a look at all of the wide receivers Dallas is paying close attention to, check out the gallery below.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys’ popular mock draft pick Matthew Golden would be versatile WR2
Even Mel Kiper Jr. has had a change of heart. After three consecutive mocks in which he pounded the table for the Cowboys to take a running back (namely, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton) with the No. 12 pick, the draft guru went a different direction with his fourth and final projection, instead sending Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden to Dallas in the first round.
It certainly wouldn’t be a long shot. The Cowboys are desperate to find a serious threat at WR2 opposite CeeDee Lamb, someone who would force opposing defenses to spread themselves thin in coverage. Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and the host of young receivers currently in Dallas all have upside, but the Cowboys passing attack needs a weapon, not more warm bodies. Golden is unanimously ranked one of four elite pass-catchers in this year’s draft class- along with Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden III, and Emeka Egbuka- with many experts other than Kiper also thinking he’d be an ideal fit in the silver and blue.
Each of those receivers is expected to be gone within the first two rounds of the draft, but Dallas’s No. 44 pick may too late. A solid cornerback, a good pass rusher, and a more-than-serviceable young running back can all be had well into the second round or later; if the Cowboys want a true difference-maker to pair with Lamb, it may be the move they have to make on Thursday night.
Golden was one of the Cowboys’ national “30” visitors, so the interest is definitely there. Here’s a look at the Texas native’s measurables, highlights, and scouting reports as draft day approaches.
Matthew Golden Measurables
Matthew Golden is a WR prospect in the 2025 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements.https://t.co/tsUZI2nPyXpic.twitter.com/sH3y76u2rZ
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 13, 2025
Matthew Golden Highlights
Matthew Golden Scouting Report Compilation
Scouting Overview – NFL.com
Golden works all three levels of the field with similar consistency and productivity. His route-running needs refinement, but he does a decent job of altering tempo and separating at break points. Golden has the ability to play all three receiver spots. He also has the agility and body control to turn near-misses into highlight catches. Focus drops still pepper his play, but he’s a willing participant in traffic and took command of contested catches with better physicality and catch strength in 2024. Golden’s starting-level traits and big leap forward as a go-to playmaker have him primed to become a productive catch-maker with the potential to develop into a WR1 in the future.
Strengths – “The Beast” (Dane Brugler, The Athletic)
- Average size measurables but doesn’t play small
- Graceful athlete with outstanding control in release and route breaks
- Uses different techniques to make corner feel his presence, opening comebacks and curls (favorite route is a 14-yard curl)
- Stem burst creates separation on posts and corners
- Above-average focus at catch point with fast, steady hands
- Superb body control to turn and frame the football mid-air
- Tracks ball well downfield (often had to slow and adjust his track with Quinn Ewers’ deep balls)
- Much stronger than expected, especially when finishing catches through contact
- Impressive awareness post-catch, immediately changing run angles to make first man miss
- Averaged at least 20.0 yards per catch in 10 of 16 games in 2024
- Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in 2023; career 25.8 yards per kick return (28 attempts for 722 yards and two touchdowns)
- Very self-confident and embraces competition (emerged as top option in Texas’ talent-rich wide receiver room in 2024)
- Coaches trusted him to play every wide receiver position in the playbook
Weaknesses – NFL Draft Buzz
- Frame could use additional bulk to better absorb contact and maintain positioning against physical NFL corners who get hands on him
- Concentration drops pop up more than you’d like to see – focus seems to waver when thinking about running before securing the catch
- Blocking effort and technique need significant refinement – struggles to sustain engagement and can get overpowered by defensive backs
- Medical history raises some durability concerns with foot surgery in 2023 and previous rib injury limiting availability
- Press release package needs expansion beyond athletic ability – currently relies too heavily on pure speed and quickness to win off the line
Film Breakdown
For a look at all of the wide receivers Dallas is paying close attention to, check out the gallery below.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys’ popular mock draft pick Matthew Golden would be versatile WR2
