- Jaylin Noel | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Tez Johnson | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Matthew Golden | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Elic Ayomanor | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
- Luther Burden III | Dynasty Fantasy Profile | 2025 Rookie Class
Welcome to the Dynasty Nerds 2025 Rookie Profile series! We’re pleased to bring you the Matthew Golden rookie profile from our NFL prospects writing staff. Below you will find the intro, overview, and independent breakdowns by our top analysts, including his 2.02 overall selection by Peter Monahan. While there will be a lot of similarities, there will be some differences.
Each writer does their own film study using our Nerds All-22 Film Room, and creates a Top 50 Rookie Prospects Big Board. We’re also pleased to feature the Positional Rankings of our Director of College Content, Tristan Cook. Tristan also provided Matthew Golden’s introduction and conclusion. We hope this Rookie Profile will aid you in your quest for dynasty glory this season.
Matthew Golden | WR | HT 5110 | WT 191 | HAND 948 | ARM 3058
Matthew Golden | Player Introduction
Throughout his collegiate career, Matthew Golden played his home games in three conferences (AAC, Big 12, SEC), for two teams (Houston & Texas), but in only one state (Texas). However, before he was burning up the NFL Combine 40-yard dash or collegiate defenses, Golden was roasting his opponents on the track. He ran a 10.93-second 100-meter dash in high school. Golden was a top 150 recruit out of Klein Cain HS in Houston, TX.
Golden stayed close to home, joining the Houston Cougars for two seasons prior to transferring to the Longhorns and leading them in receiving yards and TDs. His 987 receiving yards in 2024 was nearly the same total that he had in his two seasons for the Cougars (988). While he did not receive any post-season honors, Golden performed his best during the College Football Playoff. His best game was against ASU, where he caught 7 passes for 149 yards and a TD in the Cotton Bowl.
Mike Johrendt’s Top 50 Rookie Big Board
No. 28 Overall Prospect | Ranked WR11
I struggle to see why Matthew Golden is receiving 1st round looks in industry mocks, especially with his speed being the only thing that really stands out. While he is a burner with solid route running, I’m just not seeing what justifies a Day 1 pick. However, he is a top-30 rookie draft prospect for me because there is enough on tape to find a spot for him in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Keith Ensminger’s Top 50 Rookie Big Board
Not Ranked in the Top 50
Doc Matthew Mitchell’s Top 50 Rookie Big Board
Not Ranked in the Top 50
Tristan Cook’s Pre-NFL Combine [RANKINGS LINK]
No. 5 Overall Wide Receiver
The highest ranked Texas receiver in my WR Rankings is Matthew Golden, not Isaiah Bond. Golden emerged in 2024 as the top wideout for Quinn Ewers and the Texas Longhorns. Golden jumped up draft boards after becoming the primary receiver late in the season. He is a good route runner, but where Golden is special is his playmaking. He has the quick-twitch ability that makes him difficult to cover. While Matthew Golden has good hands and is an intriguing prospect, concentration drops and durability are his major concerns.
Peter Monahan in the Latest 1QB Rookie Mock Draft
Selected at 2.02 | Drafted as WR6
Matthew Golden is quickly flying up NFL Draft boards after his productive season, taking the Texas Longhorns to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Golden led the team in receiving yards with 200 yards more than the next closest receiver, finishing with just under 1,000 yards (987) on the season. He also led the team in receiving touchdowns with 9. Golden has the speed to take the top off of the defense with sub-4.40 40-yard dash speed. However, Golden is also a technician and creates separation on a lot of his routes, making life easier on his quarterback.
Once you start getting in the early 2nd round, you should be looking to explore the trade value of the pick. Believe it or not, there are several leagues where dynasty managers get rookie fever and can’t believe X-player fell to the 2nd round and they just have to select them. I will always recommend if you can move rookie picks 2.01-2.03 for a future 1st round pick you do so every time. Comparisons of NFL veteran wide receivers currently in Golden’s range that you can try to trade this pick for are Khalil Shakir, Chris Godwin, Courtland Sutton, and Michael Pittman—don’t be afraid to ask for little something extra.
Matthew Golden | Draft Outlook
There may not be many players whose draft stock has improved more than Matthew Golden. After posting the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine (4.29s) among offensive players, Golden raced up draft boards, being ranked as high as WR1 by some experts. Notably, Golden is now a near-consensus 1st Round NFL pick. Accordingly, Matthew Golden will go off the board in the late-1st round to early-2nd round in most rookie drafts.
We Are Releasing a Rookie Draft App!
On top of all the rookie player profiles on our website, we are releasing the first Rookie Draft App dedicated solely to rookie content, featuring mock drafts, a rookie pick trade calculator, analysis by Garret Price and Jared Wackerly, plus video footage from your favorite podcast. This is a ground-breaking endeavor that we’re very excited to bring to all of you. Stay tuned to the podcast show and our web articles for more info!
