Dallas Cowboys 2025 draft scouting report: WR Matthew Golden

Here is our scouting report on Matthew Golden from Texas

We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at wide receiver Matthew Golden from Texas.

Matthew Golden

WR
Texas Longhorns
Junior
4-star recruit
5’11”
191 lbs

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

History

Matthew Golden was a four-star recruit coming out of Klein Cain High School in Houston, Texas, where he showcased impressive athleticism and playmaking ability. He would receive 26 offers from different schools but choose his home team and joined Houston after flipping his commitment from TCU. He would quickly became one of their top receivers, recording solid stats and earning recognition for his maturity and leadership on and off the field.

Golden made an immediate impact as a true freshman, finishing the season with 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. He showcased his ability to stretch the field and became a reliable target for quarterback Clayton Tune. His composure, route-running, and knack for finding the end zone earned him All-AAC Freshman honors and attention as one of the top young receivers in the country.

Despite battling through some injuries, Golden continued to shine in his second year at Houston. He totaled 38 receptions for 404 yards and six touchdowns in just nine games. What really elevated his profile was his contribution as a kick returner, where he averaged over 35 yards per return and scored two kick return touchdowns. His versatility and explosive ability made him one of the most dynamic all-around players in the AAC.

The next season Golden entered the transfer portal and committed to the University of Texas. He was expected to play a major role in the Longhorns’ receiving corps and special teams, and he met those expectations. He led both Texas and the SEC in receiving touchdowns (nine), and ended the season in career highs with 58 receptions and 987 receiving yards.

2024 Statistics

854 Offensive Snaps
83 Targets
58 Receptions
987 Receiving Yards
9 TDs
303 YAC
8 Missed Tackles Forced
120.9 Passer RTG When Targeted
4 Penalties

NFL Combine/Pro Day

10-Yard Split- 1.49s (92%)
40-Yard Dash- 4.29s (98%)

Awards

Second-team All-Big 12 (2023)

Scorecard

Overall- 85.9
Speed- 97
Acceleration- 94
Agility- 86
Strength- 77
Catching- 78
Route Running- 89
YAC- 80
Blocking- 55
Discipline- 91

THE GOOD

• Crisp, disciplined routes with sharp cuts.
• Has great awareness at the top of his route, understands spacing and how to create separation.
• Consistently plucks the ball away from his body and can make tough catches in traffic.
• Quick off the line with explosive acceleration; capable of turning short routes into big gains with yards-after-catch ability.
• Plays with poise and maturity beyond his years, understands defensive coverages, and adjusts routes accordingly.
• Quick off the line and able to hit top-end speed in space.
• Can line up both outside and in the slot. Also a dangerous kick returner with two return touchdowns in 2023.
• Plays with grit and toughness; not afraid to go over the middle and absorbs contact well.

THE BAD

• At his size and weight, he can occasionally struggle against long, physical press corners who disrupt his release.
• He’ll need to continue refining his release techniques to be more consistent at getting into his stems at the NFL level.
• His blocking effort is solid but technique and consistency need improvement.
• Solid build but not overly big; won’t win many jump-ball situations against taller defensive backs.
• Missed some time in 2023 due to injuries.

THE FIT

Matthew Golden projects as a high-floor, versatile receiver with potential at the next level and immediate special teams value. At Texas, he was a steady, experienced presence who produced right away. His versatility and special teams ability make him extremely valuable, and he’s the type of player who will contribute immediately in more ways than one.

To reach his full potential, he’ll need to improve his ability to consistently win against physical press coverage and become more effective in contested catch situations. Adding strength and refining his release techniques will help him against bigger, more aggressive defensive backs. He also needs to sharpen his blocking effort in order to round out his game and make him a more complete receiver.

Golden would be a strong fit for the Dallas Cowboys as a versatile weapon who could immediately contribute as a reliable WR2 with CeeDee Lamb. His precise route-running and dependable hands would give Dak Prescott a trustworthy target on third downs and in the red zone, while his ability to create yards after the catch would complement the Cowboys’ quick passing game. Additionally, his impact on special teams as a dynamic kick returner would add immediate value, filling in behind KaVonate Turpin if anything should happen, making this a strong point to the roster. With time, he has the potential to develop into a polished, starting-caliber receiver in Dallas’ offense.

COMPARISON:

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

BTB GRADE:

58th

CONSENSUS RANKING:

21st
(Consensus ranking based on the average ranking from 90 major scoring services, including BTB)