Golden ticket? Assessing Packers' historic first-round NFL Draft pick

It is the first time since 2002 the Packers have selected a wide receiver in the first round when they drafted Florida State's Javon Walker with the 20th pick.

While Green Bay did not have any glaring needs entering the draft compared to some of the teams at the top of the draft order, getting some receiving help for QB Jordan Love was one of its priorities coming into the night.

Christian Watson, who led the team in yards per catch (21.4) last season, suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against the Chicago Bears in Week 18 and will likely miss time in 2025.

Not only is Watson entering a contract year and battling through the gruesome injury, but he and Romeo Doubs are heading into the final year of their rookie deals. Jayden Reed led the team in receiving yards (857), but struggled catching the ball, as did Dontayvion Wicks, who only had 39 catches on 76 targets in 2024.

With the unknowns surrounding Watson's injury timeframe and the inconsistency catching the ball from Reed and Wicks, adding Golden gives Love someone with high-end speed and the potential to be Green Bay's No. 1 receiver. According to NFL Network, his 40-yard dash time (4.29) was second to Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston (4.28), but the quickest of any receiver at the combine.

Golden was sensational at Texas with 987 yards and nine TDs during the 2024 season. When the lights were the brightest in the College Football Playoff, Golden went over 100 receiving yards twice and caught the all-important TD in the quarterfinal matchup against Arizona State, which propelled the Longhorns to a double overtime win.

The Packers are scheduled to make seven more picks. It is going to be hard to top their first-round pick, given the high upside Golden brings to the offense.