Packers rookie Matthew Golden's social media post after best NFL game yet draws attention 5 Green Bay wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) catches a fourth quarter first down pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.Green Bay defeated Cincinnati 27-18.Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Packers’ Matthew Golden dominating rookie WR efficiency stats

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Oct 22, 2025 5:24 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers selected wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with many expecting him to be a game-changing talent downfield.

That has yet to happen weeks into the 2025 campaign. At the same time, it’s still too early to judge Golden, who is a tantalizing player who could just be waiting for the Packers to unlock his true potential.

Packers WR Golden’s efficiency setting him apart from other rookie wide receivers

The breakout performance many have been waiting for has yet to happen for Golden. After three consecutive weeks of gradually improving his receiving numbers, the former Texas Longhorns star took a step back in Week 7’s meeting with the Arizona Cardinals, as he came away with just 37 receiving yards, though he only saw four targets and secured them all.

On the season, Golden only has 249 receiving yards with zero touchdowns on 18 receptions and 23 targets through six games.

While he’s lagging behind other rookie wide receivers in terms of raw numbers, Golden is leading all first-year wideouts in 2025 when it comes to at least three areas.

Via Zach Kruse of the Packers Wire:

Packers WR Matthew Golden has a 60.9% success rate and 78.3% catch rate, and he is averaging 10.8 yards per target. All first among rookie WRs with at least 15 targets.

Many have called for Packers head coach Matt LaFleur to get Golden a healthier diet of targets, but so far, the rookie is averaging 3.83 targets per contest. For comparison, Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has gotten 7.71 targets per contest through seven weeks.

Packers' Matthew Golden dominating rookie WR efficiency stats 2 Oct 19, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Golden (0) is pushed out of bounds by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: