Analyzing the Packers Wide Receiver Room After the Draft

One storyline that always seems to surface around draft night is Green Bay’s well-known drought when it comes to taking wide receivers in the first round. The cries for help from fans didn’t go unheard this time, as the Packers felt the timing was right to select Texas’ Matthew Golden with the 23rd pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Green Bay continued to address the position by also selecting TCU’s Savion Williams in the third round. The wide receiver room was clearly in need of some TLC, so with these two new additions, how does it look now?

Matthew Golden

First up is the golden boy himself, Matthew Golden. How good does a wideout have to be for Green Bay to finally pull the trigger in the first round? At Texas, Golden recorded 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s a versatile weapon who can line up both inside and outside, which is exactly the kind of flexibility coaches love to have in their offense. He made even more noise at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he posted the fastest 40-yard dash time among all receivers. Golden may be on the shorter side compared to what the Packers usually look for, but almost like how someone might describe their ideal boyfriend, his explosiveness more than makes up for it. That kind of speed is especially valuable with Christian Watson expected to miss a portion of the 2025 season due to a knee injury. Golden’s ability to stretch defenses and create plays after the catch gives Green Bay a much-needed boost.

What sets Golden apart is how he uses his athleticism. He moves with smooth, controlled speed and shows elite route tempo, quick feet, and crisp breaks that make it easy for him to separate from defenders. Golden understands how to manipulate coverage with subtle pacing and is quick to transition into a runner once the ball is in his hands. Additionally, Brian Gutekunst believes that the former Texas receiver has the strongest hands in the draft, which never hurts.

“I understand the game so well to where I can tempo my routes so I don’t have to run full speed and I just know where my breaking points need to be wherever the defender is,” Golden said to the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. “I got a lot in my game. I could play inside, play out. I could also take the top off, so whatever the team needs me to do, I’m that guy they need to do that.”

It’s a skill set that gives defenders headaches on every down. Green Bay is getting a true first-round talent with plenty of upside. Golden has the physical tools, intelligence, and polish to contribute right away. If his development stays on course, he could quickly become one of the most reliable targets in the Packers' offense.

Savion Williams

The 87th pick caught some people by surprise, but Savion Williams’ physical tools are hard to ignore. His size, speed, and explosiveness make him an intriguing prospect for Green Bay. Standing at six-foot-four and weighing in at 222 pounds, Williams fits the Packers’ typical wide receiver mold. With his combination of size and athleticism, the potential for him to make an impact is clear, though it’ll be interesting to see how Matt LaFleur decides to utilize him.

“He’s played inside out of the slot. He can play outside. He’s so good in the red zone,” Gutekunst said of Williams to the Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. “I just think he’s versatile you know we talked about Matthew last night, too, and we feel he can do both, as well, and both guys have return ability. So it’s just, receivers that can do things with the ball in their hands is very important to us and both of these guys can do that.”

Williams is a versatile weapon, capable of lining up as a wide receiver or even in the backfield. His ability to contribute in multiple ways will give Green Bay’s offense an interesting dimension, and it will be exciting to see how they incorporate him into their system. Last season, Williams put up 611 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 60 catches while also adding 322 rushing yards and six scores on 51 carries. This kind of versatility could be a real asset in a dynamic offense.

While Williams may be more of a ‘project’ compared to someone like Matthew Golden, he certainly has the tools to develop into a serious playmaker. His combination of size and athleticism makes him a dangerous threat once he refines his game. If he can improve his route running and overall consistency, Williams has the potential to become a real weapon for the Packers down the road. In the long term, Williams could offer a big payoff for Green Bay, especially if his development aligns with the team’s needs. While he might take some time to fully break out, the upside is there. With the right coaching and opportunity, Williams could evolve into a key piece of the Packers’ offense in the years to come.

Both of these wide receivers have a real opportunity to contribute to an offense that’s already packed with weapons but was missing just a few key pieces. They bring the potential, mentality, and physical tools needed to thrive at the next level. With Jordan Love under center and Matt LaFleur calling the shots, there’s no limit to what they can achieve in this system. Overall, the wide receiver room is in much better shape now than it was before the draft.