The Green Bay Packers have been on a quest for a standout wide receiver since they traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders before the 2022 NFL season. Their latest addition is Matthew Golden.

Since 2021, the Packers have not had a 1,000-yard receiver, a feat accomplished by Adams with his record-breaking 1,553 yards on 123 receptions. Allen Lazard was the leading receiver in 2022 with 788 yards, while Jayden Reed claimed the top spot for the last two seasons with 793 and 857 yards.

In a rare move for the Packers, they selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL draft for the first time in over two decades. Golden was chosen 23rd overall, reflecting a significant shift in their draft strategy.

Although Golden’s collegiate stats—38 catches for 584 yards in 2022 and 404 yards in 2023—cast doubts on his ability to clock 1,000 yards in his rookie season, SportsLine betting expert Alex Selesnick still rates Golden’s performance under 700.5 receiving yards for the upcoming season.

“He encountered difficulties against man coverage in college, which typically leads to challenges in the NFL,” Selesnick noted.

With the Packers focusing on a run-first approach and existing competition among talented wide receivers, Selesnick underscores the difficulties Golden may face in accumulating significant yards this season. Despite the potential for Green Bay to ramp up the passing game, reaching over 700 yards seems a steep challenge given the current roster dynamics.