Matthew Golden flashes major potential with highlight catch in preseason finale as he looks ready to become a Packers dude
Rookie receiver is opening eyes.
The Green Bay Packers played most of their offensive starters in the preseason finale against the Seattle Seahawks. Even though quarterback Jordan Love wasn’t on the field due to a left thumb injury, rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden was and immediately showed he’s ready to play.
And it certainly seems like he will quickly be a dude for the Packers. On a big play, he made a solid adjustment to beat Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett and make an impressive 39-yard catch.
Later on the drive, Golden was targeted by Malik Willis again, but the ball was a little bit too high and the rookie couldn’t catch it, albeit the separation he had achieved on the play. The Packers scored on the drive with a touchdown pass from Willis to Romeo Doubs.
Outside of Jordan Love, center Elgton Jenkins and wide receivers Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Savion Williams were among the offensive players who didn’t participate in the game. Love and Jenkins will be back for the regular season opener against the Detroit Lions in two weeks, so Golden will have the opportunity to make an impact on an even stronger unit.
It’s still early to know exactly what Golden’s role will be as a rookie, but it’s clear that he will play a lot. Last week against the Indianapolis Colts, most starters didn’t play, and Golden ended up not playing either even though he was active for the game. Now, he spent time with the available starters. It’s a clear indication of where he is on the depth chart.
Watson has a knee injury and is expected to start the regular season on the PUP. Wicks missed most of training camp with a calf injury. Those factors make Golden’s impact even more important for Green Bay early in the season.
And based on what we have seen so far, he’s ready for the challenge.
Matthew Golden was the 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft. It’s the first first-round wide receiver drafted by the Packers since 2002. With Savion Williams taken in the third round, the Packers selected two receivers in the first three rounds for the first time in franchise history.
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